Business helped by science

AgResearch Scientist Dr Jolon Dyer examines Sauvignon Blanc grape seeds with Dr Glenn Vile, General Manager New Zealand Extracts.

New Zealand Extracts Ltd knew there were health benefits for skin from Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc grape seeds but their marketing needed scientific evidence to show what it was doing.

Dr Glenn Vile, General Manager of New Zealand Extracts, and a scientist himself, approached AgResearch to find out.

“We needed information on what the grape seed extracts were doing, backed by a reputable scientific organisation, so I approached AgResearch who had previously demonstrated in a clinical trial that our Oxifend® grape seed extract provides anti-ageing benefits to skin.”

The preliminary grape seed study led by AgResearch Senior Scientist Dr Jolon Dyer clearly demonstrated the benefit of the extract against UV radiation-dependant damage to the skin. “We were surprised by how effective
grape seed extracts are at combating protein damage from UV rays on skin. A protective effect was observed right down to the protein level. Importantly, the preliminary results indicate a significant reduction in the level of oxidation in the skin proteins. This significant discovery suggests a huge benefit for human skin particularly given increasing concerns around UV rays,” says Dr Dyer. The
capability for this work builds on AgResearch’s significant expertise and research
understanding of keratin (wool) and collagen (meat) oxidative degradation, particularly protein modification on exposure to UV light.

“We knew our Oxifend® grape seed extract contains some of the highest
levels of bioactives in the world, and has a number of important health benefits
ranging from protecting athletes during exercise to providing anti-ageing benefits
to the skin. We didn’t know why it was so good for the skin, and now we do
this will really help our business”.

“The good news is that grape seeds are waste products from the wine industry. Thanks to science, excellent sustainable production processes and marketing know-how the health benefits of these seeds are now going to be available world-wide to make a difference to people’s lives, and that’s a New Zealand success story,” said Dr Vile.