Grahame Mac Kenzie
University of Hull
Hull, HU6 7RX
UK
and Sporomex. Ltd
UK
New uses have been found for pollen exines which are the exo skeletons or outer shells of pollen. The material from which they are made is known as sporopollenin and because of its hardy nature it has been called the ‘diamond of the plant world’ since it is arguably the most stable naturally occurring polymer known in the face of heat and inorganic and organic reagents, but it is rapidly decomposed by enzymes and strong oxidising agents. It is composed of solely carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen and appears to be polycarotenoid in character. Some of the characteristics of pollen exines as microcapsules and relevance to applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food will be discussed in the talk are as follows:
- Constant size, chemical properties and morphology from any particular plant origin (important for traceability and quality assurance)
- Large choice of capsule size depending on plant source;
- Resistant to heat organic solvents and inorganic acids and alkalis;
- Elasticity/compressibility;
- High loading potential;
- Provides protection against ultra violet light induced oxidation;
- Chemical modification of surface of exines;
- Degradation of exines by enzymes such as those existing in blood.
