NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021 | THE HEALTH

At the International Innovation & Technology Exhibition ( ITEX ) 2019 , one of SIRIM ’ s discoveries , a natural bioactive dermatocide anti-fungal cream created with rambutan rind extract , won the Gold Medal and Best Invention Award . This cream is the first of its kind to contain active components derived from natural sources .

It took a lot of hard work . After performing aqueous and solvent extractions on diverse herbal waste materials , the SIRIM team discovered numerous extracts with excellent antioxidant and antifungal characteristics . Rambutan rind was one of them .

Thavamanithevi Subramaniam , a Senior Researcher at SIRIM ’ s Industrial Biotechnology Research Centre ( IBRC ), who lead the team working on this , said :” We opted for the rambutan rind because it is easily available locally . An added plus is that the extract is made from fruit scraps !” Other members of the team were Sarifah Rejab , Dr M Theanmalar , Adida Zuraida , Aidawati Shabery and Dahlia Daud .

The team chose to formulate the anti-fungal cream in-house , using SIRIM ’ s Good Manufacturing Practice ( GMP ) certified facilities after receiving positive results .“ All of the tests were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) and ISO 17025 ,” added Senior Researcher and colleague Dr Theanmalar Masilamani .

Beneficial properties

In 2017 , this antifungal cream formulation based on rambutan waste bioactives was patented . The National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency ( NPRA ) has yet to register the product . On Aug 17 , 2018 , IBRC submitted an application for Traditional Medicine Classification for higher product benefit claim purposes .

This is SIRIM Berhad ’ s first Research & Development ( R & D ) product to be successfully approved for MAL under Traditional Medicine . Because all ingredients / excipients and the active ingredient utilised in the composition of the cream must be registered with the NPRA , the Traditional Medicine registration process took nearly two years .

With the registration number MAL 20106148TC , the product has now been registered with NPRA as a Traditional Medicine .

Meanwhile , a company called Zarra Zafeena Resources ( ZZR ) has begun the commercialisation process . ZZR will perform a market trial of this product under the name BioNephegen Skin and Nail Cream prior to full commercialisation .

SIRIM Tech Venture Sdn Bhd ( STV ) appointed ZZR to participate in the BioNephegen Skin and Nail Cream Market Trial Program . In December 2020 , STV and ZZR signed a Trial & Evaluation Agreement ( TEA ) to gather data and information on market demand , acceptance , and practicality of the product before it is permanently licenced .

This programme is critical for determining the product ’ s marketability and gauging full acceptability by potential customers . STV went through a rigorous screening procedure to find the right company for this programme .

ZZR was chosen due to its financial and legal position , extensive experience in selling personal care goods and strong commitment throughout the programme , among other factors .

The rambutan rind extract has proven itself to have numerous helpful effects from the start , with preliminary in-house efficacy testing yielding positive results , particularly for athlete ’ s foot , scaly and diseased nails and insect bites .

The product ’ s multi-spectrum efficacy against skin fungal and yeast ( Candida Albicans ) infections is a standout feature . This means that a single extract can combat a variety of dermatophytes that cause skin problems .

A secure product

“ Most commercial treatments are steroid chemicals that only work on certain fungi ,” says Dr Theanmalar . This offers a wider range of applications , as well as synergistic benefits and is non-toxic . It is also antiinflammatory and beneficial for itching and insect bites .”

“ It has also been tried for eczema and appears to perform well , reducing redness and dryness ,” said Adida Zuraida Mohamad , a Microbiologist at SIRIM ’ s IBRC .

The extract is safe to use , even for youngsters , because it is generated from a natural resource . “ In fact , unlike other eczema creams , parents want to use this for their young children with eczema because it doesn ’ t irritate their loved ones ’ skin ,” she explained .

Since its introduction , the anti-fungal lotion has been well-received . “ Many of our colleagues said that this product worked well for them and continued coming back for more when we were doing in-house efficacy evaluations ,” Thavamanithevi shared .

“ Since then , the company that has adopted the product has stated that they have received return customers .”

SIRIM is gearing up to further enhance the product and expand its reach , inspired by the good response and awards earned . It has already applied to the NPRA for a MAL ‘ Traditional Medicine ’ registration number , which will allow the medicine to be sold in clinics .

On par internationally

Malaysia ’ s capabilities , according to Thavamanithevi , Dr Theanmalar and Adida , are comparable to those globally .

“ When we began anti-oxidant investigations in 2006 , SIRIM was the first to look into the possibilities of exploiting rambutan rind . Subsequently , countries like Australia , Canada and Vietnam started studying the usage of rambutan rind for cosmetic products ,” explained Thavam .

As a result , there is a lot of room for expansion in this field . “ Malaysian research institutes and universities have extensive R & D capabilities .

“ We have plenty of natural resources and a pool of talent with multidisciplinary expertise capable and equipped to discover and achieve excellent scientific results ."

She said that besides that , proper funding to support research activities in producing potent bioactives from Malaysia ’ s natural resources was crucial .

‘ Therefore , SIRIM welcomed collaboration with industries and other research institutes to explore potent bioactives from Malaysia ’ s natural resources ,” explained Sarifah . — The Health

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