How Can Irish Wool Be Repurposed for Cosmetics and Healthcare Applications? (CABR Research Work Spotlight)
Dr Tielidy Lima, Postdoctoral Scientist in the Bioengineering Organ-on-Chip (BOOC) Research Group at the Centre for Applied Bioscience Research (CABR), TUS, is investigating how valuable bioactive compounds can be extracted from Irish wool to support the development of sustainable products for the cosmetics and healthcare sectors.
As part of the SPRINGWOOL project, Dr Lima is using Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) technology to extract compounds from wool samples. This process uses supercritical CO₂ to extract bioactives such as ceramides, wool grease (lanolin), and other valuable components. The extracted compounds have potential applications in cosmetics, skincare products, and healthcare.
About the SPRINGWOOL Project
SPRINGWOOL is a collaborative research project led by CABR and Munster Technological University (MTU), in partnership with Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), University College Dublin (UCD), and Atlantic Technological University (ATU).
The project aims to address key challenges facing the Irish wool sector identify sustainable ways of valorising Irish wool, creating new opportunities for Irish farmers.
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