Doctorate from the Faculty of Sciences UCSC graduates its first graduate

The research delved into the waxy extract of radiata pine bark for the cosmetic industry, with a physicochemical and toxicological evaluation.

Jean Pierre Molina Medina/ Journalist Faculty of Sciences Ucsc.- Daniel Sandoval successfully completed his studies in the Doctorate in Sciences with mention in Biodiversity and Bioresources, belonging to the Faculty of Sciences of the Catholic University of the Santísima Concepción (UCSC). In this way, he becomes the first graduate of the study program, which he began in 2018.

“Physicochemical and toxicological evaluation of waxy extract from the bark of Pinus radiata D.Don with cosmetic potential”, was the name of Daniel Sandoval’s thesis and had the support of Dr. Matías Hepp (UCSC School of Medicine) as director and Dr. Daniela Morales as co-director (UCSC School of Sciences). The main results were published in the journal Industrial Crops and Products.

“The main challenge of the research was to verify that a waste from the forest industry (bark) becomes a raw material and that it could be put to use, which was not so simple, since it requires identification, characterization to understand the potential application from the chemical, physical and toxicological point of view”, explained Dr. Daniel Sandoval regarding the origin of the research.

It should be noted that radiata pine bark wax had not been used in this way, with potential for the cosmetic industry. “This bioresource had other purposes, it is used for burning, as a gardening substrate, adhesives are made, also industrial applications. Pine wax has not been widely used, as it is a highly available raw material”, he explained.

Main results

Part of the methodology was first developed in the chemistry lab, experimenting with various ways of drying and grinding radiata pine bark, using solvents, and analyzing chemical extractions. Then came a second stage linked to physicochemical analyses, analyzing density, viscosity, melting point, among other aspects. “One of the important parameters to study was how these waxes dissolve. Since these waxes are not related to water, therefore, we had to also analyze the emulsification, to achieve a uniform solution. Also, we analyze them from the point of view of toxicity”, commented Dr. Daniel Sandoval, discovering that there were waxes that, due to certain extractive processes, were not toxic to human skin cells, and therefore a substance was obtained that serves to the cosmetic industry.

The main result was to identify how wax is efficiently obtained from radiata pine bark. It was also possible to establish parameters to achieve a higher extraction yield, that is, more wax per gram of bark. Through the different extractive processes, results of waxes that are more harmless to the skin and others that are more toxic were identified.

Dr. Daniel Sandoval rescues the experience as positive throughout the doctorate process, which began in 2018, as part of the first cohort of this study program. “It has been a very important personal growth, I have worked with brilliant and admirable people, not only the professors, but also the research staff. In addition, I interacted with researchers from various disciplines and this enrichment is very positive, since it provides the necessary tools to consider myself as a researcher. I found a professional space to develop very virtuous”, he concluded.

Daniel Sandoval is a civil engineer in biotechnology from the Universidad San Sebastián, then continued his studies to obtain a Master’s degree in University Teaching from the Universidad del Desarrollo. Part of his career includes his company called El Avellano, linked to biocosmetics, as well as university teaching and research management.

“The Doctorate allows us to open up to various topics and that is powerful, personally, it allowed me to understand the language of researchers, when they refer to an article, a funding line or an analytical methodology. My goal is to become a researcher, I don’t know how long it will take me, but that is my goal”, he concluded regarding his next steps.