Create pearls in the laboratory

This method achieves high productivity, creating many products suitable for human needs

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Cong Toai, Vice Chairman of Department of Genetic Embryology, Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University in Ho Chi Minh City was previously only collected from boys in rivers, lakes and ponds (freshwater mussels) or in the sea. (saltwater mussels). Pearls are formed inside boys because reflexes heal wounds. When a foreign body enters the body, the mussel releases a special substance to enclose the object, creating a layer called nacre or pearl crystal. After many years, layers of nacre covering many times overlap will create natural pearls.

Research on creating pearl crystals in the laboratory

Crystal formation after 30 days

For natural pearls, the yield is very low, the quality is not high, the shape is uneven . The raising of pearls, the cultivation of pearls in rivers, streams, ponds, lakes . has also been carried out. However, there were many difficulties when men often suffered from mass infection, causing big losses. It takes about 3-4 years to complete the time from farming to formation of pearls. In terms of quality, the pearl is uneven, the shape is not the same; can be distorted, flat, rhombic . due to a boy's image.

From these difficulties, the research team of the Stem Cell Laboratory, University of Natural Sciences (National University of Ho Chi Minh City), had a unique and daring idea of ​​creating pearls in export laboratory. From the advantage of acquiring technical advances in biotechnology. The research project belongs to the program ' Young Science and Technology Incubator ', organized by Ho Chi Minh City Youth Union and Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology. Research results have been checked and accepted in early December.

Master Pham Van Phuc, chairman of the project, said: ' By taking the tissue of freshwater winged mussels, the research team treated decontamination and cultured in a special environment at a temperature of 240C. After only 30 days, these cells formed nacre crystals . '

High application meaning

According to Master Phan Kim Ngoc, Head of Laboratory Stem cells, pearl crystals have many practical applications in life. Thanks to special features that help clean and whiten skin, people have used pearls to supplement beauty products such as cleanser, exfoliating cream, pearl toothpaste . In addition to In addition, pearl crystals can also be applied in fillings, artificial bones due to their suitable biological properties, good bonding ability, solid structure, elasticity, anti-waste .

Master Ngoc also said that the next direction of the topic is that researchers will give pearls clinging to the nucleus to create pearls that have characteristics suitable to human needs such as arbitrary size. , the shape is adjustable, various colors are adjusted by adding color complexes . In particular, Master Phuc insists with this technology, can create pearls of size overate. For example, one kilogram of pearl can be created by using a large tank, while natural pearls cannot create this size pearl. Another advantage is that creating pearls in the laboratory will yield higher productivity than those grown in the wild, can reach nearly 100% due to the possible environmental conditions.