Active molecules (such as lycopene, flavonoids, anthocyanins and polyphenols) widely used in cosmeceuticals for their antioxidant properties derive mainly from:
1. food chain or ad hoc crops: the current production system is expensive due to the cost of fruit production to be used as a source of active molecules (first generation production).
2. chemical synthesis: no guarantee of purity degree and bioavailability of extracts of natural origin

Green Fashion is expected to extract lycopene from seeds and peels resulting from tomato transformation and anthocyanins from red corn by-products. The project aims at reducing production costs by the valorization of waste fractions (third generation production).

Extraction of lipophilic molecules such as lycopene is now carried out with organic solvents (eg hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone):
1. leaving traces in products with high environmental cost and impacts.
2. Such techniques are in contrast to both existing Halal and Kosher regulations as well as the Ecolabel certification system by reducing the reference market.
3. Extraction can result in significant reduction in the active content and efficacy due to prolonged exposure of the air

GREEN FASHION will propose extracting process by using CO2 supercritical extractors (SFE-CO2). SFE-CO2 technology permits to obtaining solvent-free extracts of hydrophilic / lipophilic molecules by maintaining degradation and reactivity. This technology can be used to have exhausted fractions (corn by-products) characterized by microbiological purity, dry and rich in soluble fibers (eg pectin) and insoluble fibers (eg cellulose), which can be used again in the food industry. These steps allow complete eco-sustainability of the production cycle, with a positive impact on the upstream costs of organic raw materials.
As an alternative to SFE-CO2, anthocyanins will be extracted using soft PEF technology, based on the use of electric fields for waste biomass and subsequent extraction in water.

Biomasses from conventional crops may contain extractable contaminants with active ingredients. The project will primarily use organic farming by-products that offer a higher degree of purity.

Products may have a greater bioactivity as the extraction in the absence of air will preserve the biological properties. For lycopene, the SFE-CO2 extraction results in the isomerization of the molecule in the most easily absorbed form in the organism.