A group of eight students presented these, and other products, at a Dragons’ Den-type event at InnoVenton, the University’s Institute for Chemical Technology, in Summerstrand on Tuesday, 26 November.
STUDENT INNOVATORS: Formulation Science senior lecturer and course coordinator Dr Nicole Vorster, left, and Formulation Science BSc Honours students Anathi Vava, Lebogang Matinketsa, Gemma Gherbavaz, Luyolo Vacu, Carlen Rudolph, Crystal de Kock, Pamella Mbambela and Joshua Kruger
As with the aspiring entrepreneurs in the reality television show, Dragons’ Den, the students first pitched the product they had invented, and then faced tough questions on commercial viability.
The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, in association with InnoVenton, showcases the work of BSc Honours students in Formulation Science in this way each year, and can look back on several success stories.
“In this postgraduate course, students learn about formulating consumer products, and they have to develop a unique and innovative product which can potentially be commercialised,” said senior lecturer and course coordinator Dr Nicole Vorster.
“They also learn how to write a business plan and how to pitch their ideas to possible investors, e combining science, technology and business in one course.”
Focus on student entrepreneurship
As the University has a strong focus on student entrepreneurship and graduate employability, the expo aims to provide the students with a taste of future work possibilities.
The class had to apply theoretical principles of blending raw materials and active ingredients to produce stable, homogeneous and useable products. They also learned entrepreneurial skills to establish SMEs – and the “dragons” grilled the students on areas such as financial projections, target market, distribution channels, unit volumes, costing, turnover and more.
Joshua Kruger used shells and seaweeds for his water filtration project; Lebogang Matinketsa invented a garlic-infused toothpaste; Gemma Gherbavaz is holding a small piece of the rubber mats she devised for use in stables
Pharmacy graduate Joshua Kruger, for example, has developed a water filter that uses hydrogel beads made from ingredients derived from seaweed and the shells of crustaceans.
“The polymer that comes from the crustacean shells has very good absorption, so once water flows through, substances like iron and manganese will stick to the beads and then the clean water will flow through the filter,” said Kruger.
The young entrepreneur is now hoping to apply his invention in borehole-water filtration and aims to study further in geology.
Garlic a ‘killer’ idea for toothpaste
Lebogang Matinketsa dreamt up what sounds like a horrible flavour for dental hygiene: a garlic extract infused toothpaste called Killer.
“I call it ‘Killer’ because it kills bacteria like there’s no tomorrow!” said Matinketsa. By using the correct additives, she promised that it did not stink of garlic but rather had a fresh minty smell.
“The formula harnesses the antibacterial properties of garlic extract, which can help to reduce plaque build-up, and combat bad breath more effectively.”
Another student, Gemma Gherbavaz, recycled waste rubber using trans-polyoctenamer, a novel polymer, to create rubber mats for horse stables.
Her imaginatively named business, Stable Earth, is now able to turn tyre waste into a functional, eco-friendly solution for horse owners who want their animals to have the benefits of cushioned, easy-to-clean rubber flooring.
“We want to have a positive impact on the planet – and on your stable,” said Gherbavaz.
Science meets convenience in new TB tablet
Crystal de Kock developed “science meets convenience” tuberculosis tablets; Luyolo Vacu has used biodegradable ingredients for his face cream
Crystal de Kock has invented a “science meets convenience” tablet for tuberculosis patients who do not have access to potable water.
Her Iso-Oraldispers tablets dissolve on the tongue within seconds and do not need to be taken with water.
Luyolo Vacu presented an anti-aging skin-care cream containing biodegradable rhamnolipids, which are strong antioxidants.
Anathi Vava, left, and Pamella Mbambela, each created facial product; Carlen Rudolph has included natural healing ingredients such as honey and rose-hip seed oil in her wound-care patches
Pamella Mbambela devised a facial serum to gently treat acne with natural ingredients, and Anathi Vava produced an anti-fungal cream to help treat a skin condition called Tinea Versicolour.
The multidisciplinary Formulation Science course draws on various aspects of chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmacy, physics, physiology, statistics and business, and students come from a wide range of qualifications.
Carlen Rudoph, for example, already had completed an MSc in Biochemistry when she enrolled.
Rudolph invented a hydrocolloidal healing product for small wounds and scratches, called the Scratch Patch, made from natural polymers.
The tiny patches offer a moist, protective environment combined with active ingredients renowned for their wound-healing properties, such as honey and rose-hip seed oil.
“In vitro studies, such as antioxidant activity and cell proliferation tests, indicate that the Scratch Patch has the potential to enhance the natural wound-healing process,” said Rudolph.
Dr Vorster said the BSc (Honours) Formulation Science degree was developed not only to provide the consumer products industry in South Africa with skilled formulators but also to address the province’s high rate of youth unemployment by encouraging entrepreneurship.
Examples of formulated products include personal care products such as cosmetics, as well as household chemical products, pharmaceuticals, processed food products, agrochemicals and many more.
FACING THE DRAGONS: Students (right) explain their products to two of the ‘Dragons’ Den’ panel members
Creative research in service of society
“All of these students are solving societal issues, and they come up with their ideas on their own, we allow them to be creative,” said Dr Vorster.
Although further development may be needed for the student projects, she said most of them had shown “proof of concept”.
In the past, student projects have included eco-friendly laundry detergent, low-sugar dark chocolate, ice cream with spirulina extract, ant repellent surface cleaner with waste coffee extract, fabric glue, a stain remover pen for clothing, bad breath remedy, tinted sunscreen face powder, a toilet-bowl fizz bomb, face-wash travel tablet and braid remover lotion.
This year’s panel of “Dragons” consisted of Dr Vorster with Prof Percy Hlangothi (Chemistry Department), Louise Hamilton (Acting Director of Innoventon), Anneke Greeff (BSc Hons in Formulation Science graduate, and formulation scientist at Innoventon), Khanya Ngobo (BSc Hons in Formulation Science graduate) and Dr Adeniyi Ogunlaja (Head of Chemistry Department). Phumela Phungula and Hazel Madikazi of the University’s Innovation Office were also present.