The Ming Dynasty scholar Song Ju once described longan as "round like a fine pearl, red like a golden pill, flesh resembling glass, and a core as black as lacquer. It nourishes essence and marrow, quenches thirst and nourishes the skin, enhances complexion, and moisturizes the skin. Its various effects are too numerous to enumerate." Longan is rich in nutrients such as vitamin C and vitamin B complex. Vitamin C has antioxidant properties, helping to combat free radicals, reduce oxidative stress damage to the skin, maintain skin elasticity, and prevent skin aging and wrinkle formation. Additionally, longan has the effect of nourishing qi and blood. When qi and blood are abundant, the skin exhibits a healthy rosy color. Good blood circulation provides skin cells with ample oxygen and nutrients, promoting skinrepair and regeneration, resulting in smoother and more delicate skin.

The numerous benefits of this small and inconspicuous fruit, the longan, are truly astonishing. However, it is regrettable that its potential for development and application remains limited. This limitation stems primarily from issues in cultivation and post-harvest processing. On the one hand, the lack of diversity in longan varieties and the restricted cultivation areas with high temperature and humidity requirements pose challenges. On the other hand, longan has a short shelf life, prone to dehydration, deterioration, and rot at room temperature, and its processing technology needs improvement [1]. Therefore, our team aims to develop a novel application for longan and explore ways to maximize its utilization.

Concurrently, we have learned about astaxanthin, hailed as the "king of antioxidants", which is gaining momentum in the skincare and beauty industry. In modern life, people face various stressors, environmental pollution, and unhealthy habits, accelerating skin aging. Consumers' demand for anti-aging cosmetics is growing, seeking effective ingredients to delay the aging process. Moreover, with heightened health awareness, consumers increasingly prefer natural and safe cosmetic ingredients. Astaxanthin, a natural carotenoid, enjoys trust and favor among consumers. Importantly, scientific research has continually deepened, revealing astaxanthin's exceptional antioxidant activity. Its antioxidant capacity is 550 times that of vitamin E and 10 times that of beta-carotene. This potent antioxidant property significantly protects skin cells from free radical damage, providing a scientific basis for its application in cosmetics [2][3][4].

However, we encountered another challenge: apart from Haematococcus pluvialis algae, which yield high astaxanthin content, other sources provide relatively low levels [5][6]. Can we explore new methods to extract astaxanthin beyond algae? Driven by this curiosity and determination to address these two issues, our team conducted comprehensive research.

Knowing that astaxanthin is a unique carotenoid and longan is rich in various carotenoids, we boldly hypothesized the presence of astaxanthin in longan. Carotenoids are fat-soluble compounds with nutritional properties that can be extracted using mixed organic solvents to separate them from non-carotenoid components. We conducted experiments with different types of longan but found that while the carotenoid content in longan fruits was higher than in leaves, astaxanthin expression was absent. This was crucial information for us. We delved into the metabolic pathways and related genes of astaxanthin and, after team discussions, decided to construct multiple vectors to transfer essential genes related to astaxanthin biosynthesis into longan callus tissue, enabling astaxanthin synthesis and expression in the callus.

Thus, our team has officially confirmed our experimental direction: extracting astaxanthin from longan for application in the cosmetics industry. This not only extends the value of longan but also broadens the sources and improves the efficiency of astaxanthin extraction, contributing to the cosmetics industry.

2.1 Preliminary Project Design: Based on the above background investigation and analysis

Research Objective: To explore the feasibility and optimize the extraction process of astaxanthin from longans, aiming to enhance its yield and purity, reduce production costs, and provide the cosmetics industry with a novel, natural source of astaxanthin.

Sample Collection: Gather longan fruits and leaves from diverse varieties and growth environments as research samples.

Extraction Process Optimization: Through extensive literature review and consultation with Professor Liang Peng, we have identified the CrBKT gene, which significantly impacts astaxanthin synthesis, as well as the HpBHY gene from Haematococcus pluvialis. We aim to locate the homologs of these genes in the longan genome and conduct overexpression experiments in longan callus tissue.

Safety and Functional Evaluation: Conduct safety assessments and functional tests (e.g., antioxidant activity, skin whitening effects) on the extracted astaxanthin to ensure compliance with cosmetics industry standards and consumer demands.

Expected Outcomes: Successfully extract high-purity, high-yield astaxanthin from longans. Develop an economical and efficient extraction process, offering a novel raw material source for the cosmetics industry. Promote related agricultural and biotechnology advancements, facilitating the transformation and economic growth of the longan industry.

Follow-up Plans: Building upon our initial findings, we will further refine and optimize the extraction process to enhance astaxanthin yield and purity. Additionally, we will explore the specific application effects and market potential of astaxanthin in cosmetics, providing robust support for industrialization and commercialization.

2.2 Multifaceted Impacts: We aspire to achieve these goals through the extraction of astaxanthin from longans

Enhanced Antioxidant Effect: Incorporating astaxanthin extracted from longans into cosmetics can effectively neutralize free radicals in the skin, mitigating their damage to skin cells, thereby delaying skin aging and maintaining a healthy, youthful complexion.

Improved Sun Protection: Adding astaxanthin from longans to sunscreen cosmetics enhances the product's UV protection capabilities, offering additional safeguards for the skin. Compared to traditional chemical sunscreens, astaxanthin, as a natural sunscreen ingredient, boasts higher safety, less likelihood of causing skin allergies, and caters to consumers' demand for natural and safe sun protection products.

Expanded Raw Material Sources for Cosmetics: Currently, astaxanthin used in the cosmetics industry primarily originates from Haematococcus pluvialis, among others. However, extracting astaxanthin from longans provides a novel alternative for cosmetic raw materials. This facilitates cosmetic enterprises in developing products with unique selling points, enriching the product range in the cosmetics market, and meeting diverse consumer needs. For instance, a series of longan-astaxanthin-featured cosmetics, such as creams, serums, and masks, can be introduced.

Formula Innovation: To better leverage astaxanthin extracted from longans, cosmetic companies need to optimize and upgrade their product formulas. This may incentivize increased R&D investments to explore optimal ratios and formulations combining astaxanthin with other ingredients, enhancing product stability and efficacy. For example, synergistically using astaxanthin with antioxidants like Vitamin C and Vitamin E may yield superior skincare results.

Boosted Consumer Trust in Natural Ingredients: Longan, as a common natural fruit, enjoys consumer recognition for its safety and nutritional value. Extracting astaxanthin from longans fosters easier acceptance and recognition of this ingredient among consumers.

To substantiate this theoretical research, we conducted surveys, selecting more suitable longan varieties for experimentation while addressing concerns about longan sales among growers and offering assistance. Additionally, we disseminated our findings through science popularization materials and held presentations among student groups of varying ages, raising awareness of this theoretical research achievement. Furthermore, we solicited feedback through questionnaires, continuously enriching our project content and innovating our technology.

Through the online survey platform, we successfully collected a large number of questionnaire data. The reliability test, validity test and other statistical methods were used to verify the rationality of the questionnaire data, so as to ensure that our research results are real and highly credible. This is one of the important steps for the team to conduct research, ensuring the effectiveness of the team's work.

3.1 Our Proposed Implementation

Our team expanded in-depth research and development to enhance the efficacy of longan and astaxanthin in cosmetics and explored their potential benefits to skin health, such as anti-oxidation, anti-aging, moisturizing, and so on. Meanwhile, acquire scientific validation. We combined dry laboratory and wet laboratory to find the most appropriate application way.

Online:

With the help of CNKI, China cosmetic raw material regulation database and other international databases, we collected the literature about active ingredient analysis of longan, safety evaluation of cosmetic raw materials, and the function of longan leaves extract in cosmetics. Meanwhile, we studied the chemical property, stability, and biological activity of astaxanthin and its possible application in cosmetics.

Offline (wet lab mainly):

When we struggled to identify a suitable target gene for longan in our experiments, our team's instructor, Professor Cao, provided us with the direction for constructing the source of the target gene. Following his guidance and suggestions, we conducted detailed research and analysis, ultimately discovering two genes, CrBKT and HpBHY, that could be co-expressed. The newly constructed vector is anticipated to enable the synthesis of astaxanthin in longan leaves, boosting the yield and purity of astaxanthin in these leaves while also mitigating issues such as low activity and survival rates of recombinant cells. Furthermore, producing astaxanthin through the genetically engineered plant expression system, which has been optimized for this purpose, is more economical and efficient than microbial fermentation or chemical synthesis, thereby reducing the cost of astaxanthin production.

Pushing Innovative Formula Design:

Combined with the characteristics of longan and astaxanthin, the development of innovative cosmetics formula to improve product efficacy and market competitiveness. Enhancing brand value: through marketing and brand building, we urged to emphasize the natural, healthy, and unique value of longan and astaxanthin, to enhance consumer awareness and trust of products as well. We adopt advanced extraction and production technology to ensure that active ingredients of longan and astaxanthin can be effectively retained, and improve the stability and safety of products.

Expanding Product Line:

We try to extract other ingredients and develop diversified product lines, such as skin care products, make-up, and hair care products, to meet the needs of different groups of consumers. Meanwhile, we focus on consumer demand. Through market research, we try to understand consumer expectations and needs of cosmetics containing longan and astaxanthin, to guide product development and improvement.

Strengthening Cooperation and Exchanges:

We cooperated with scientific research institutions, universities at home and abroad, and other cosmetics enterprises: Fujian Mengtian Small Town Agriculture Science and Technology Industry Development Co., Ltd, and Mio Tech to share resources, technology exchanges, and R & D cooperation, and promote industrial development.

Digital Marketing Strategy:

Use digital technology for precision marketing, through social media, e-commerce platforms, and other channels to interact with consumers, improve brand awareness and market share. Our team is currently carrying out various popular science propaganda on online media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Bilibili. In the future, we will also use these platforms as our partners to strengthen the spread of our products at home and abroad.

3.2 Evaluation of our project’s guiding values

Our Proposed End-Users & How We Envision Others Using Our Project

Business:

Our team searched out that astaxanthin is a kind of natural pigment with many biological activities. Because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties, astaxanthin is widely used in the cosmetic industry. Astaxanthin is mainly used in the cosmetic industry to make eye cream, face cream, lipstick, and other skin care products, which can help improve the quality of skin, improve skin elasticity, and have sunscreen properties, effectively preventing UV damage to the skin.

Thus, astaxanthin cosmetics are targeted at health-and beauty-conscious consumers, especially those seeking natural ingredients and antioxidant protection. In addition, astaxanthin is attractive to middle-aged and elderly consumers because of its anti-aging and skin repair properties.

In 2022, China's share of the global astaxanthin market was 19.65%, and that of the United States was 26.52%. The Chinese market is expected to grow by a compound rate of 10.31 percent over the next six years and reach a 2029 size of $64.55 million. We are trying to expand the Chinese market first [7].

With the increasing demand for health food and health care products, the astaxanthin industry has a bright future. In addition, the application of astaxanthin in the pharmaceutical field also provides new business opportunities. The market potential of astaxanthin cosmetics is huge, the target user group is wide, and the demand for astaxanthin cosmetics is expected to increase further with the increasing attention of consumers to health and beauty. We look forward to the expansion of the astaxanthin cosmetics market and the results of cooperation with the company.

Product Quality Safety:

We will establish effective product tracking and evaluation mechanisms, collect customer feedback, and constantly optimize products to improve customer satisfaction. We built an acceptance model based on multiple choice analysis, frequency analysis, and NPS analysis to measure consumer acceptance of astaxanthin skin care products. We will follow the Technical Specification for Cosmetic Safety and the assessment conclusions of international leading cosmetic safety assessment agencies (such as CIR, SCCS) to ensure that astaxanthin is used in compliance with the regulatory requirements [8]. At the same time, strict quality control of astaxanthin raw materials, including the detection of heavy metals, microorganisms, harmful substances, as well as stability testing, to ensure the safety and stability of raw materials. Astaxanthin should be used rationally in cosmetic formulation to avoid possible adverse reactions caused by high concentration of astaxanthin, and its compatibility with other ingredients should be considered.

3.3 Other Challenges To Be Considered

Raw Material Extraction:

The high extraction cost of natural astaxanthin may affect its large-scale application in cosmetics. Although the cost of astaxanthin synthesis is low, there may be consumer acceptance of synthetic ingredients. The quality and safety of cosmetics are of paramount importance, and both our laboratory and the business partners need to ensure the stability and safety of astaxanthin to avoid possible health risks.

Market Competition:

The challenges facing the astaxanthin cosmetics industry include uneven product quality and high price volatility, which affect consumers’ purchasing decisions and corporate customers’ purchasing plans. The cosmetics market is highly competitive; new brands and products need to be recognized among many existing brands, which requires a lot of marketing and brand-building work.

Laws and Regulations of Various Countries:

Regulations and standards for cosmetics may vary from country to country, and companies need to comply with local laws and regulations, which may increase the complexity of product development and marketing. China has issued the recommended national standard GBT43777-2024 “Determination of astaxanthin in cosmetics, High-performance liquid chromatography,” which provides a method for the determination of astaxanthin, helping to ensure the accuracy of astaxanthin content in cosmetics and product quality [9]. Meanwhile, the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC-RNo-No 1223/2009: the main regulation of cosmetics in the EU market) requires all cosmetics to undergo a safety assessment before they are marketed, and all ingredients must comply with regulatory requirements [10]. Therefore, we need to change the amount of astaxanthin used in cosmetics according to different regulations in each country.

Also, as consumer concerns about environmental protection and sustainability increase, companies need to ensure that astaxanthin production and cosmetics packaging meet environmental requirements. The European Union has strict regulations on food packaging materials, including migration restrictions, and the use of specific substances is prohibited. EU regulations adopt the concept of “Layer by layer analysis, level by level refinement” and consist of framework regulations, Good Manufacturing Practice, and special directives [10]. The FDA has regulatory authority over cosmetic ingredients, requiring that they are safe and that all ingredients must be listed on the label. And China implements the “Measures for the management of cosmetic labels,” which require that cosmetic packaging must have a Chinese label containing information such as product name, ingredients, net content, use duration, method of use, and safety warnings. Therefore, the way our products are packaged when sold in different countries also requires careful attention.

In different cultural backgrounds, consumer demand and preference for cosmetics may vary. Our team needs to consider these differences to meet the needs of different countries and different markets.

3.4 Resolving The Disconnect Between Science and Society

How We Would Implement Our Project In The Real World &Resolving The Disconnect Between Science and Society

Offline:

(1) Raise consumer awareness of astaxanthin and its application in cosmetics through educational activities. In order to enhance the children's understanding of astaxanthin, we also drew picture books. In the future, the picture book will be made into a braille version for special education schools, providing exclusive science for people with visual impairments. At the same time, we also translated it into many languages to spread the knowledge of popular science about longan and astaxanthin internationally.

(2) Cooperate with the company Fujian Mengtian Small Town Agricultural Science and Technology Industry Development Co., Ltd. offline in the cosmetics counter or brand experience store to organize interactive experience activities, so that consumers experience products containing astaxanthin, and provide professional consulting services. We will train our point-of-sale staff to understand astaxanthin so that they can answer consumer questions and provide buying advice.

(3) Participate in or organize public education activities to raise public awareness of astaxanthin and its benefits in cooperation with consumer associations and educational institutions.

Online：

Use social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and RED (apps widely used in China) to post educational content about astaxanthin, including its antioxidant properties, skin benefits, and how to use cosmetics containing astaxanthin. We have also produced educational videos posted on these platforms, showing the proper use of astaxanthin cosmetics and possible effects, as well as comparisons with other ingredients. Meanwhile, we work with beauty bloggers and opinion leaders to spread astaxanthin knowledge to a wider audience through their recommendations and evaluations. What’s more, we published in-depth articles about astaxanthin on brand websites, providing scientific research and user reviews, and building brand authority.

Looking back on our comprehensive human practices section, we have undertaken diverse tasks at different stages, integrating our potential contributions and ideas to maximize project integration:

Design Phase: Incorporating Social Responsibility and Humanistic Concern

From the outset of the design process, we placed the educational significance of the project at the forefront, prioritizing not just technical feasibility and innovation but also its potential impact on society, the environment, and human well-being. In the development of astaxanthin extraction technology, we deliberately considered minimizing negative impacts on marine ecosystems and biodiversity. By exploring novel, sustainable raw material sources such as non-traditional microalgae or plant-based alternatives, we diversified the avenues for obtaining astaxanthin. This approach not only demonstrated our commitment to environmental protection but also sparked profound reflections within our team about harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Construction Phase: Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Cultivation of Innovation Capacity

During the construction phase, we fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating knowledge and skills from chemistry, biology, engineering, environmental science, and beyond to tackle technical challenges collectively. This mode of cooperation facilitated knowledge exchange and stimulated innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities among team members. Through continuous experimentation and adjustment in practice, team members learned to maintain flexibility and resilience in the face of challenges, crucial skills for their future careers and personal growth.

Testing Phase: Socialized Feedback and Continuous Improvement

The testing phase served as a pivotal juncture where the educational value of our project shone brightest. We actively sought feedback from various sectors of society, encompassing expert opinions, user experiences, and environmental impact assessments, to ensure our project outcomes adhered to technical standards while meeting societal needs. The socialized feedback mechanism yielded invaluable information and suggestions that optimized our product performance and prompted us to deeply reflect on the project's original intentions and impacts. Critically, this process taught team members how to listen, comprehend, and respond to the needs and concerns of diverse stakeholders, fostering their social responsibility and empathy.

Learning Phase: Reflection, Summary, and Future Prospects

Upon project completion, we organized a series of learning and reflection activities aimed at consolidating project experiences, extracting educational insights, and guiding future endeavors. By reviewing the successes and setbacks throughout the design, construction, testing, and learning cycles, we gained a profound understanding of the intimate link between technological innovation and social responsibility, as well as the significance of interdisciplinary collaboration and socialized feedback for project success. Furthermore, we envisioned potential research directions and application fields for the future, encouraging team members to continue exploring the unknown, embracing innovation, and contributing to humanity's sustainable development.