Nectar is a mythical and intriguing substance, at the heart of a plant’s fertility. It attracts pollinators to perpetuate plant life and repels unwanted nectar consumers to ensure survival. The nectar of flowers reveals part of its secrets in the world of the infinitely small. Floral nectar is an exceptionally rich micro-habitat for the microorganisms which reside there. In this context, Silab Research has focused on the microbiota of nectar, called Nectarobiota, by studying Hoya carnosa, a remarkable plant that is among those producing the most nectar.


Dominant Yeast of Floral Nectar


Hoya carnosa is commonly named porcelain flower due to its luminous flower’s outstanding varnished, mother-of-pearl appearance, giving the impression of a handmade work of art. Within the extremely rich and diverse realm of Hoyas, this species stands out for its nectar that ensures its attractiveness.


In joint work with the French agronomic research institution (INRA), Silab directly sampled porcelain flower nectar. The microbiota of this nectar is composed of, among other things, bacteria and yeasts that have developed exceptional properties of adaptation to this highly selective and transient substrate. Among these inhabitants, the yeast Metschnikowia reukaufii, the species largely dominant and specific to floral nectars, has been isolated, then identified by genetic analysis before its deposit in a private collection.


As a result of its remarkable metabolism, it acts as a genuine regulator of the ecosystem of the plant, in particular its Nectarobiota, to ensure the defense, development and regeneration of the plant.


Microbiota Platform

This breakthrough research was supported by Silab’s microbiota platform. This platform comprises three units boasting the  expertise and technologies required to investigate in a more cross-cutting and complementary approach to the skin’s and plants’ ecosystems, making it groundbreaking and unique worldwide:

• The biotechnology unit works directly on plant ecosystems;
• The molecular biology unit analyzes imbalances in the skin microbiota in stressful conditions or during aging; and
• The microbiology unit creates and develops a collection of cutaneous bacterial strains.

Cosmetic Innovation


Silab’s expertise in biotechnologies has enabled the company to reproduce and optimize culture conditions in its laboratories that promote the growth of this strong component of nectar. Produced in situ at the industrial scale, this biomass is then used as natural raw material in an enzymatic bio-engineering process to manufacture purified active molecules of interest. These molecules were specifically identified by Silab Research as highly valuable due to their rebalancing action.


Silab’s approach to the microbiota, extracting natural molecules from the microbiota of plants to influence the skin microbiota, is unprecedented in the cosmetic industry. This work has led to the development of Ecobiotys, an innovative biomimetic active ingredient which will be launched at In-Cosmetics Global in April. 


More info: http://www.silab.fr