Canadian oats will be used in skin care and health products under a new licensing agreement between the federal government and an Alberta biotech company.
The licensing agreement will help Ceapro use Canadian oats to create beauty and skin products.
Agriculture Canada scientist William Collins discovered 25 years ago that avenanthramides are naturally occurring polyphenols with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, which explain why oatmeal baths are soothing to itchy skin.
The molecules are found only in oats and only in small quantities, which has previously limited their commercial application.
The new technology increases the levels of molecules that can be extracted.
“We are very excited that Agriculture Canada has determined that Ceapro has the ability to rapidly commercialize this technology,” said David Fielder, Ceapro’s chief scientific officer.
“It will be a game changer for Ceapro, putting us in a position to produce the much larger volumes needed to supply new markets and attract the right partners.”
