Advancing Preservation Science and Women in STEM

Preservatives play a crucial role in our daily lives, even if we don't always notice them. These natural or synthetic ingredients are used to slow or stop the growth of microorganisms in various products and, as a leading innovator in consumer product development, P&G R&D is always looking around the corner for the next best preservative technology.

Microorganisms, or microbes, are tiny organisms that can exist as single cells or colonies. By adding preservatives to our formulations, we can prevent the growth of these microbes, thereby prolonging the shelf-life and usability of products. This is essential not only for maintaining product consistency and stability, but also for ensuring consumer safety.

Keeping Microbes at Bay

Microorganisms like bacteria, yeasts, and molds are ubiquitous—they're on our skin, in the air, and even in the water we drink. As a result, there are several critical considerations to ensure proper product protection:

• Consumer Interaction with product: Dipping fingers into products such as open jar creams can introduce microbes;

• Shipping and Storage: Consider challenges that could be introduced during shipping or storage as these can pose a risk to product integrity;

• Raw Materials: Some raw or natural materials innately contain microbes;

• Water Content: Products with high water content may promote undesirable microbial growth and require particular attention, including addition of preservatives, to ensure safety throughout product use.

“The concept of preservation isn't new,” said MT Moran, Research Fellow and P&G Corporate Functions R&D Global Lead for Preservation. “Humans have been preserving food for centuries. Interestingly, some preservatives used in household care products, like acetic acid, are also used in food preservation and in personal and beauty care products.” However, not all products require preservatives. Only products that contain enough water to support microbial growth will typically require preservatives to ensure their safety and longevity.

We are continuing to expand our options by innovating with natural preservative ingredients. Naturally sourced ingredients can be resource-intensive and may have higher microorganism levels, so we’re focused on creating solutions that address these challenges while aligning with our sustainability goals. Packaging, such as pumps or airtight containers, can also help reduce microbial exposure, and certain formulation factors, like low water content or an acidic/alkaline pH, can also inhibit microbial growth.

Investigating Microbiology Methods

Currently, P&G R&D is developing high throughput methods to test additional potential natural ingredients for use in our formulations, made possible by Moran and her multidisciplinary team of chemists, modelers, experts in data science and digital tools. P&G tests the anti-microbial efficacy of formulations using the Microbial Susceptibility Test (MST) method which we have developed into a High-Throughput Microbial Susceptibility Testing (HP-MST) to optimize efficiency and increase ingredient screening capacity. With this approach, we can minimize test volumes and reduce costs, enabling the testing of a larger number of samples simultaneously. It also provides greater flexibility in incorporating multiple repeats and controls based on specific testing requirements.

To drive end-to-end automation, the team has also validated a technology which utilizes a combination of imaging and spectroscopy to deliver a comprehensive analysis of microbial samples, facilitating accurate colony counting and identification. It provides a non-destructive and rapid method for studying microbial populations, which was traditionally done by counting up to 250 pinprick-sized colonies on petri dishes.

Preserving STEM Talent

Just as we are committed to ensuring the safety and quality of our products, we are dedicated to supporting STEM employee by inspiring, developing, and advancing them through various initiatives, partnerships, and internal programs.

Moran sponsors the Reading, UK, LIFT (Learn, Innovate, Focus, and Thrive) Community, a P&G site-wide initiative designed to connect and empower the research community. Its goal is to enhance researchers’ skills and knowledge, enabling them to drive significant business impact through ongoing training, innovation, and community building. Additionally, Moran leads the Women in Innovation Network (WiI) at P&G’s Reading Innovation Centre. This supportive group is dedicated to empowering and inspiring women throughout their personal and professional life stages.

Preservatives are indispensable in maintaining the safety, stability, and effectiveness of many products we use daily. By preventing microbial growth, they help protect our health and ensure that products remain consistent and reliable. They are the unsung scientific heroes that help us safely enjoy everyday products, which we often take for granted. Researchers like Moran and her colleagues in LIFT and WiI are champions of scientific progress and supporting women to pursue careers in science and technology.

Craving more details on our innovative capabilities? Read about P&G R&D’s technical approaches to Health & Hygiene and the vital roles women in STEM play at P&G.