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Biocosmetics: exploring the potential of ingredients derived from marine invasive species
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As espécies invasoras são uma das maiores ameaças à biodiversidade do planeta, promovendo a homogeneização de espécies e reduzindo o pool genético das populações. Até aos dias de hoje ainda não é possível prever invasões de espécies exóticas, mas sabe-se que a interferência da espécie humana nos habitats é, sem dúvida, um fator causador de invasões biológicas.
O conhecimento nas espécies terrestres é geralmente limitado e nas espécies marinhas é, ainda, mais escasso. Estas invasões são responsáveis por profundas alterações nos ecossistemas marinhos e levando a perdas económicas em atividades humanas. Para além disso, estas invasões são responsáveis por grandes acumulações de biomassa nas orlas costeiras, que não são aproveitadas, e que têm potencial para serem recicladas em combustíveis de origem natural, biomateriais e fertilizantes.
O crescente conhecimento na área dos biocosméticos deu origem ao reconhecimento das espécies marinhas como potenciais agentes antioxidantes, anti-inflamatórios, despigmentantes, e regeneradores cutâneos. Também aqui as espécies invasoras revelam-se uma excelente matéria-prima para a produção de cosméticos, contribuindo não só para o seu controlo, mas também para o reaproveitamento da biomassa resultante. De acordo com a legislação da União Europeia, o manuseamento e venda de espécies invasoras não é permitido. No entanto, em países como os Estados Unidos ou o Japão, é possível obter licenças para este fim e valorizar estas espécies invasoras.
Esta dissertação de mestrado aborda esta temática, biocosméticos e espécies marinhas invasoras, dando um especial foco ao arquipélago dos Açores. Em particular, as ilhas dos Açores são especialmente suscetíveis a espécies invasoras, sendo que o crescente tráfego marítimo e a atividade humana potenciam a introdução de espécies exóticas no arquipélago. O reaproveitamento de algas invasoras nas praias e regiões costeiras seria vantajoso para as ilhas, de forma a preservar a biodiversidade marinha e a assegurar o crescimento económico da região.
Assim, o prejuízo provocado por estas algas em regiões como os Açores revela-se uma oportunidade para o investimento em programas locais de erradicação, bem como a criação de legislação específica para o reaproveitamento de biomassa de espécies invasoras.
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the planet's biodiversity, promoting species homogenization and reducing the reducing the populations’ gene pool. To this day, it is still not possible to predict invasions of exotic species, but it is known that human interference in habitats is undoubtedly a contributing factor to biological invasions. Knowledge about terrestrial species is generally limited, and for marine species, it is even scarcer. These invasions are responsible for profound changes in marine ecosystems, leading to economic losses in human activities. Additionally, these invasions result in large accumulations of biomass along coastlines, which are not utilized but have the potential to be recycled into natural-origin fuels, biomaterials, and fertilizers. The growing knowledge in the field of biocosmetics has led to the recognition of marine species as potential agents with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, and skin-regenerating properties. In this context, invasive species prove to be an excellent raw material for cosmetic production, contributing not only to their control but also to the reuse of the resulting biomass. According to European Union legislation, the handling and sale of invasive species are not permitted. However, in countries like the United States or Japan, it is possible to obtain licenses for this purpose and add value to these invasive species. This master's thesis addresses this theme, biocosmetics and invasive marine species, with a special focus on the Azores archipelago. In particular, the Azores islands are especially susceptible to invasive species, as increasing maritime traffic and human activity promote the introduction of exotic species in the archipelago. The reuse of invasive algae on beaches and coastal regions would be advantageous for the islands, in order to preserve marine biodiversity and ensure the region's economic growth. Thus, the damage caused by these algae in regions such as the Azores presents itself as an opportunity to invest in local eradication programs, as well as the creation of specific legislation for the reuse of biomass from invasive species.
Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to the planet's biodiversity, promoting species homogenization and reducing the reducing the populations’ gene pool. To this day, it is still not possible to predict invasions of exotic species, but it is known that human interference in habitats is undoubtedly a contributing factor to biological invasions. Knowledge about terrestrial species is generally limited, and for marine species, it is even scarcer. These invasions are responsible for profound changes in marine ecosystems, leading to economic losses in human activities. Additionally, these invasions result in large accumulations of biomass along coastlines, which are not utilized but have the potential to be recycled into natural-origin fuels, biomaterials, and fertilizers. The growing knowledge in the field of biocosmetics has led to the recognition of marine species as potential agents with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, skin-whitening, and skin-regenerating properties. In this context, invasive species prove to be an excellent raw material for cosmetic production, contributing not only to their control but also to the reuse of the resulting biomass. According to European Union legislation, the handling and sale of invasive species are not permitted. However, in countries like the United States or Japan, it is possible to obtain licenses for this purpose and add value to these invasive species. This master's thesis addresses this theme, biocosmetics and invasive marine species, with a special focus on the Azores archipelago. In particular, the Azores islands are especially susceptible to invasive species, as increasing maritime traffic and human activity promote the introduction of exotic species in the archipelago. The reuse of invasive algae on beaches and coastal regions would be advantageous for the islands, in order to preserve marine biodiversity and ensure the region's economic growth. Thus, the damage caused by these algae in regions such as the Azores presents itself as an opportunity to invest in local eradication programs, as well as the creation of specific legislation for the reuse of biomass from invasive species.
Descrição
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2024, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Palavras-chave
Cosmetics Marine invasive species Algae Azores Mestrado Integrado - 2024