Cosmetics fortified with micronutrients for use in women

There is subclinical deficiency of micronutrients like folate and vitamin B12 in all age groups. Folate, vitamin B12 are essential prenatal vitamins for women in the child bearing age that can prevent neural tube defects in the offsprings. We propose to include prenatal vitamins B12 and folate as nanoparticles which will be included in the cosmetics for daily application. The nanoparticles are of size less than 200 micrometer and can penetrate intact skin and get absorbed into the subcutaneous blood vessels.  Oral supplementation of micronutrients is associated with problems of poor adherence. Fortified cosmetics are likely to have improved compliance amongst women. 

Folate deficiency is prevalent in 25% urban Indian women and further folate intake is necessary during the preconception period to prevent any neural tube defects (Eur J Clin Nutr. 2018 Jul 19. doi: 10.1038/s41430-018-0255-2). B12 deficiency has been detected in 47% of Indian population (Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2019 Mar-Apr; 23(2): 211–214). Large number of population in India is vegetarian which is one of the important causes for B12 deficiency. Maternal B12 deficiency is found to be associated with increased risk of neural tube defects (Pediatrics. 2009 Mar; 123(3): 917–923). Daily oral intake of prenatal vitamins necessitates good adherence which is often difficult for women especially working women. 

We plan to target urban and peri-urban Indian women of reproductive age group who are likely to benefit from the solution. We propose to provide an innovative solution by incorporating nanoparticles of these vitamins into topical cosmetics that are routinely used by urban women. These are the population of women who are not able to meet their nutritional requirements due to the various problems of urban lifestyle including sedentary lifestyle, inadequate intake of fresh fruits and vegetables, busy lifestyle leading to noncompliance to oral supplements. The population of urban and periurban women would be approached through collaborations with NGOs that work in Mumbai and Pune, India. 

The particles used are tiny enough to penetrate through the intact skin and the cosmetics are likely to be associated with good compliance. We plan to test acceptability of the solution amongst women of reproductive age through an acceptability study. 

The cosmetics will be incorporated with nanoparticles of B12 and folate in the doses appropriate supplementation. The nanoparticles will be made using high speed and high pressure homogenizer using materials which are of food grade. We plan to use green technology for preparation of the nanoparticles which will not require use of any organic solvent. The stability of the particles in the vehicles will be tested at room temperature.  The technology is frugal and can be scaled up at minimal costs. 

The technology for transdermal delivery of nutrients using liposomes has already been developed by our group and is deployed in a research project for delivery of micronutrients to infants for prevention of nutritional anemia. We plan to leverage the same technology for supplementing vitamin B12 and folate in reproductive age women. Currently, prenatal vitamins are given orally and not all women receive appropriate advice for intake of these vitamins before conception of pregnancy. By using nanotechnology for transdermal delivery of B12 and folate, we can ensure intake of these essential vitamins by all women in the reproductive age group. Cosmetics make an attractive option for women and is likely to be associated with better compliance than oral pills. 

Our innovation uses nanotechnology for preparation of liposomes of vitamin B12 and folate. These are water soluble vitamins which are not associated with transdermal penetration. However, incorporation of these vitamins into liposomes of the size less than 200 nm will ensure transdermal penetration. These technology has already been patented by our group. 

These liposomes are made using food grade material and consist of a hydrophilic core and a hydrophobic capsule. The water soluble ingredients will be incorporated into the core part. The liposomes cross the intact stratun corneum through trans cellular and intercellular pathways into the subcutaneous tissue. 

As narrated earlier, cosmetics are regularly consumed by women and are likely to have good adherence. Using nanotechnology we are planning to leverage this platform for delivery of prenatal vitamins. This is essential supplementation in the preconceptional period. Its likely to address the problem of congenital malformations, preterm labour and improved brain development in children. 

We plan to address the target population of urban and peri-urban women who many-a-times are not aware of the need for supplementation and even if they are aware about it , there is poor compliance for regular oral supplementation of  nutrients. 

We are presently not serving any population with this solution

1. Development of industry partnership for transfer of technology 

2. Studies to evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of application of fortified cosmetics in women 

3. Market introduction 

Funding for scaling up of technology 

Our lab works in the area of Nanomedicine and is part of biosciences and bioengineering department of Indian Institute of technology Bombay. We have a group of students and postdocs who work closely and also have tie ups with other academic institutes as well as industries for collaborative research projects and scale up of transferred technologies.

Lab team - 25-35 people full times

We have the technology already developed and patented. We have also scaled this up with an industry partner for a project in infants. We  think we can leverage the same technology for the need in reproductive age women. 

We are currently working with an EuGMP facility located in Maharashtra, India for scale of nanoparticles for micronutrients and have recently signed an agreement of transfer of technology for future use. 

We plan to sustain initially through grants and subsequently through selling of products. The manufacturing industry partner will be making alliances for sale and marketing of the product. 

We plan to use the funds provided to scale up this technology and generate more clinical evaluation data. The funds will be used to purchase equipments necessary for manufacturing of the nanoparticles. 

Non-governemental organisations interested in distribution of this technology product in developing countries

This is a unique innovation for women of reproductive age. The prize if received by our team will be used to generate more evaluation data for the product and for dissemination of the technology amongst masses.