How Is Rosa Alba Leaf Cell Extract Obtained?

The white or alba rose (Rosa alba) is a hybrid species belonging to the large family of Rosaceae. It is native to temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 200 species of roses including shrubs and bushes. These hardy plants do not require any particular protection during the winter period. They can easily withstand temperatures as low as -20 °C.

Because of its colorlessness and simple petal crown, the white rose has symbolized purity and innocence since ancient Greek times, when it was the flower of Aphrodite, the young goddess of beauty. Today, this ancient rose is cultivated in some European countries, including France, for its resistance to cold, its sweet and powerful fragrance, and for its essential oil; however, it is said to still grow wild in Asia Minor.

White rose stem cells are whole cells taken from a certain plant part. They are the result of a biotechnological process that respects the environment and biodiversity, which involves several steps:

1. Selection of the plant and sampling: Removal of a piece of the plant (leaves);

2. In vitro culture of the sampled plant: Successive replications on a new nutritive medium made of water, minerals, sugar and vitamins;

3. Elicitation: Stimulation by UV and visible light of the cell culture to produce metabolites (active molecules);

4. Rinsing: Removal of all traces of the nutritive medium;

5. Cell filtration;

6. Sonication of the cells and dispersion of the extract in sunflower oil.

This method of extraction allows keeping all the active molecules present in the plant cells, which confers to this compound a complementary action compared to other vegetable extracts (vegetable oils, essential oils and hydrolats).