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    Preliminary research advances to produce toothpaste in Ciego de Ávila

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    Avanza investigación preliminar para elaborar pasta dental en Ciego de Ávila

    At the beginning of 2021, the Temporary Work Group (GTT) incited the search for national resources to substitute imports and contribute to the production of products with a deficit in the country, such as toothpaste. Specialists from Ciego de Ávila have not only found solutions for the Suchel Company; but they concluded the investigative part to have their own product.

    Managed and coordinated by the Territorial Delegation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), the multidisciplinary team from Ciego de Ávila, made up of 15 Higher Level specialists, technologists and qualified workers, determined the proposal for the formulation of a new toothpaste initially called “ Denti-Ávila”, whose main ingredient is white clay.

    According to Dianelys García Rodríguez, a graduate in Pure Chemistry and a leading specialist, the composition is based on an idea that was tested in the 1990s at the former "Máximo Gómez Báez" factory in Punta Alegre. It gathers experiences from this craft studio led by chemists Arnaldo Márquez Buchillón, current Head of Production at Ecuador Factory, and Rómulo Romell Rojas, retired man. In addition, it is nourished by the research carried out by experts from the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas.

    “Several physical-chemical and microbiological analyzes have been carried out to verify that its structure does not affect human health. In addition to clay, which contains calcium oxide and silicates, substitutes for some imported products such as calcium carbonate; we use sodium chloride, which is nothing more than common salt, as a preservative for the formula.

    » We also use stevia as a natural sweetener and flavoring agent; sage, which has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties, and is effective against inflammation of the oropharyngeal mucosa; and mint extracts. As can be seen, they are all very affordable raw materials in the province," he said.

    The Master in Science Ramón Acosta Álvarez, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and Research of the Territorial Delegation of CITMA and Head of the GTT of the province said that the laboratories of the Bioplants Center, Biofood Research, Pharmacy and Optics, Soils, Construction Materials, Green Medicine and the University of Medical Sciences; the Cepil Company; and the House of Higher Studies Máximo Gómez Báez have participated in the study.

    "This productive chain between companies and the rapid response earned a Special Recognition for the toothpaste GTT, recently delivered at the Central Act for the Cuban Science Day," Acosta Álvarez added.

    Once the Basic Research phase is over, other analyzes continue to be carried out for its scaling, including stability and abrasiveness so that the R+D+I formula (Research+Development+Innovation) is complete in the manufacture of Ciego de Ávil´s toothpaste. However, knowing that, in case of emergency or shortage, we have an experiment with such results is encouraging.

    «We have been varying compositions to guarantee consistency, flavor, color, freshness, antimicrobial protection and preservation of the toothpaste, in accordance with what is required by international standards. But we lack aspects for large-scale industrialization and subsequent commercialization, which are not possible without the health guidelines of the National Institute of Food Hygiene," García Rodríguez held.

    Some estimations made by the Light Industry Business Group (GEMPIL), the total demand for toothpaste and gel in Cuba is around eight thousand tons (t). The productive capacity of the Cuban industry is 5,375 t. Of these, 4,500 are produced by Suchel and 875 by the Suchel Camacho joint venture, which produces higher quality toothpaste.

    The raw materials imported to produce one ton are valued, according to the group, between 2,700 and 3,400 dollars, data that makes it clear the need to produce toothpaste with national resources.

    Ciego de Ávila specialists have been engaged in this task for about a year. Currently, the variations of the formula show a positive behavior, and it can be said that, from the point of view of innovation, impacts are achieved in the scientific activity of the territory.