The calyxes are the parts located at the base of the flowers and they are traditionally used in West African cuisine as a base of sauces.

Sustainable sourcing in Africa

Expanscience sources the flower’s calyxes in Burkina Faso where they are harvested in the classified forest and “Mare aux Hippopotames” biosphere reserve in the Satiri township, protected by the UNESCO “Man and the Biosphere” program.

The establishment of this supply chain has allowed the know-how transfer to local communities with training in good harvesting practices and the cooperative’s headquarters construction in the Balla village (warehouse, office, and meeting room).

Moreover, a field study for the Environmental and Social Impact Notice (NIES) was submitted in 2020 to the National Agency to evaluate the environmental impact of this supply.

The red kapok tree is also an oxalogenic tree, meaning that it presents the “oxalate-carbonate pathway” in its metabolism which in collaboration with microorganisms (bacteria, fungi etc.), allows calcium carbonate formation in the soil. This is one of the most sustainable forms of carbon sink.

Skin microbiota & intimate flora

The skin is colonized by billions of bacteria that participate in the regulation of immunity and barrier functions, preserving the microbiota homeostasis are essential to maintain a healthy skin and mucosa.

The vaginal microbiota is composed of 90% lactic acid bacteria (lactobacilli) that colonize the vagina at puberty.

These lactobacilli have very specific functions. They stimulate the local immune system and form biofilms that create real protective shields. They transform glycogen secreted by the genital mucosa cells into lactic acid, thus creating an acidic environment necessary to maintain the vaginal pH between 3.5 and 4.5.

The vaginal pH reflects the vaginal microbiota’s health: a pH higher than 4.5 indicates an imbalance in the vaginal flora, also called dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can be accompanied by symptoms such as unusual discharge, itching or vulvar pain and can sometimes lead to infection (mycosis, vaginosis etc.). During menopause, the pH is naturally 4.5.

Each woman hosts several types of lactobacilli which will evolve during her cycle and her life according to hormonal variations, her environment, her intimate hygiene, her sexual life, etc. [1]

Calybiota® Bio protects and maintains the skin microbiota balance while respecting the most sensitive skins.

By protecting women’s intimate flora, Calybiota® Bio helps all women feel good & comfortable in their intimacy, especially menopausal women.

During menopause, there is a progressive decrease in estrogens, and therefore also in lactobacilli of the vaginal mucosa. 55 to 70% [2] of menopausal women suffer from vaginal dryness.

Furthermore, more than 30% [3] of postmenopausal women and 16% [4] of women in general, are suffering from dyspareunia (pain during sexual intercourse), an unrecognized and often hidden problem mostly due to a microbiota imbalance. Women speak more and more about their intimacy and want to limit their discomfort but very few products meet consumers’ specific needs.

Calybiota® Bio is a unique opportunity ingredient to develop formulations able to act on women well-being by reassuring their femininity and improving their sexual life!

Calybiota® Bio protects women’s intimate flora

Calybiota® Bio in-vitro studies showed an anti-inflammatory effect by reducing many inflammation mediators on epidermidis cells (IL1α, PGE2, IL1β and TNFα) and a prebiotic effect on the vaginal flora lactobacilli.

On one hand, the evaluation of bacterial growth and viability demonstrated a prebiotic effect of Calybiota® Bio on lactobacillus strains present in a healthy intimate flora: L gasseri, Lacidophilus, L rhamnosus, L crispatus and L jensenii.
On the other hand, the results showed a bacteriostatic or even anti-microbial effect of Calybiota® Bio on pathogenic strains: G. vaginalis & E. coli.

These results were confirmed by a clinical study performed on 4 women groups n=48 (post-vaginosis, post-mycosis, irritation & post-menopause). The women used on their intimate area, a cleansing gel once a day and a cream twice a day formulated with Calybiota® Bio 1.25% for 28 days. The assessment was realized at D28 compared to D0.

This study results showed that Calybiota® Bio:

– Has a prebiotic effect on Lactobacilli L. crispatus (+31%) and L. jensenii (+29%) but not on L.iners, a lactobacillus more likely to promote dysbiosis conditions of the vaginal flora.
– Reduces inflammation (IL1 α -9,5%**) for a soothing effect
– Reduces discomfort sensations and moisturizes (dryness -74%**, erythema -75%**, fissure -90%**, irritation -78%**, burning -92%**, pruritus -93%**)
– Improves women’s sexual lives (dyspareunia -83%**)

A satisfaction questionnaire was also conducted with very good results:

– 89% of women find that the product reduces the irritating sensations
– 81% of women have seen an improvement of their sexual life
– 87% of women find that the product reduces dryness

Calybiota® Bio is thus particularly recommended for intimate hygiene care as the clinical study demonstrated its protective effect on vaginal flora and on intimate comfort. The balance is restored for an improved sexual life!

This active ingredient is also recommended for acne-prone skin, skin prone atopy/eczema or hypersensitivity, as well as for deodorant formulas.

In atopic dermatitis, Calybiota® Bio protects the epidermis against the pathogenesis linked to S. aureus.

In acne and seborrheic dermatitis, it rebalances the skin microbiota by inhibiting the pathogenic strains C. acnes and M. furfur.

Finally, Calybiota® Bio reduces axillary odors related to C. xerosis, C. striatum and S. epidermidis strains with a strong potential for deodorant applications.

Calybiota® Bio has a global action on the skin microbiota balance with a real interest in many cosmetic applications!

More info on Calybiota® Bio: www.expanscience-ingredients.com/en/cosmetic-active-ingredients/ingredients/calybiota

** p<0.05