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* For information, the only secretion scientifically recognized for its proven active properties is of the "Hélix Aspersa Müller" breed.
However, I was no stranger to certain knowledge of the exceptional properties of snail secretion from Helix Aspersa Müller*. My professional career led me in 1998 to be called as reporting member to the inter-institutional commission of the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture in São Paulo. It was precisely about snail, because in this context we were asked to plan and standardize an exotic snail species in Brazil. It was during a study trip to Chile with this commission that I became acquainted with the exceptional qualities of the secretion of this gastropod. Indeed at that time, I had brought little curiosity, apart from the fact that in 1995, a very serious study had demonstrated the curative effects of this secretion. During my stay, I especially forged ties with students and researchers from the Austral University of Chile who carried out remarkable work on the subject. It served me 12 years later when I decided to embark on this project.
Not being fooled by the fashion effect that snail secretion arouses and not wanting to enter into this kind of often dubious and misleading mercantile ease, I asked from the start of this project, the Biological Engineering Department of the IUT of Perpignan to study this ingredient carefully by setting up specific specifications for the breeding of the Helix Aspersa Müller or petit gris breed. The first phase consisted of a scientific bibliographic research. Putting it into practice with several biological, microbiological and physico-chemical studies of snail slime. Research was then carried out to develop a suitable diet for the production of slime rich in total protein (which is what professionals are looking for in priority). Then the validation of our snail secretion harvesting method with total respect for the animal and its biological cycle. Finally, pilot tests and validation of the processes for a final product that meets the standards for cosmetic ingredients and the AB and COSMOS Standard specifications.
Since 2011, we have been in partnership with the Department of Biological Engineering of Perpignan and every year we launch a new tutored project.
The results are now there, both in terms of the breeding method (biological cycle, reproduction, feeding, production and harvesting of secretion) and the microbiological and physico-chemical qualities which allow us to offer a stable product without any preservatives while preserving its high content of active ingredients.
Anxious to offer a first-class product, we set up new avenues of research every year. Thus, since 2014, we have been in partnership in R&D with IRTA in Barcelona.
Far from having discovered everything about this promising raw material, our research programs allow us, little by little, to learn a little more about its secrets every day.