Research Activities
Max Biocare Research Park has a range of exciting projects with the intention of creating natural solutions to health and wellbeing from the ground up. We are driven by a love of natural products that has inspired us to “grow our own” research and development capabilities.
As part of the Max Biocare Group, we follow the doctrine of using an evidence-based approach in everything that we do. At Yinnar, nature is right outside in our own backyard, so we don’t have to go far to take inspiration and apply a little science to developing new ingredients and products for health and wellbeing. Our qualified scientists are eager to explore the untapped potential of natural ingredients!
Natural Ingredient Research
We often hear the term “nature’s medicine cabinet” and “nature’s pantry” because nature is not only a source of important nutrients, but a plethora of functional substances that can help in different areas of health and wellbeing.
We are exploring new and unique ways to understand and extract these substances from natural sources like mushrooms, bees, and the hundreds of plant species that we are currently propagating. Here are just a few:
- Honey
- Mushrooms
- Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
- Sage (Salvia spp.)
- Borage (Borago spp.)
- Medicinal herbs
Honey
Honey straight from the beehive contains the freshest source of natural antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates from floral nectar collected by bees. It has been used since ancient times as a source of energy rich carbohydrates and as an antiseptic in skin balms.
Locally produced honey is blessed to have distinctive, natural flavors and aromas that are absorbed from the Victorian bush, similar to the way manuka honey absorbs substances from the blossoms of tea-trees.
Mushrooms
We are exploring the mysterious world of mushrooms, the special species that is not animal, nor plant, but in a kingdom all its own (Fungi). Mushrooms have a wide variety of shapes, colors and forms. Many are used in cooking and are a rich source of micronutrients, including B-vitamins, vitamin D, potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, selenium and manganese.
Other varieties are made up of a complex set of substances that have a multitude of health benefits, such as immune boosting, antioxidant and anti-aging effects. These substances are produced throughout the life-cycle of mushrooms, and can be harnessed to create new ingredients and products with therapeutic potential.
Sustainable growing principles will be incorporated into our programs. This includes recycling used organic matter into mushroom substrates and using self-contained facilities that use renewable energy and resource inputs.
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
This European origin plant is known for its annual flush of prominent pink and purple flowers, and distinctive aroma. It is used in hundreds of applications including perfumes, soaps, skin products, aromatherapy and nutraceuticals. It is best known for its calming and soothing effects.
Owing to its Mediterranean Climate, Victoria is lucky to be home to a wide variety of new, beautiful lavender cultivars waiting to be explored and understood.
Sage (Salvia spp.)
Sage is a tough and vibrant annual herbal plant that originates from the Mediterranean region but grows all over the world. It is widely used as a herbal ingredient in pasta, salads, vegie dishes and roasts.
Sage also has a long history in herbal remedies that dates back to Ancient Greek and Egyptian times. Its name comes from the latin word salvare, meaning “to save”, which is thought to be because of its healing effects.
Borage (Borago spp.)
Not to be confused with porridge, borage is a unique flowering plant that grows across Europe, but is believed to have originated in the Middle-East. Its characteristic blue flowers also give it the name “star flower”.
The flowers and leaves of borage are not only used as culinary herbs, but have some interesting healing properties, including applications in the health of the joints, skin and circulation.
Medicinal herbs
Nature’s “medicine cabinet” is where we always turn back to for inspiration and guidance on creating health solutions that help people live well.
Herbal medicines have a traditional history of use in many different countries around the world, based on extracts of plants that grow locally or traded from other regions.
Some well-known examples include Ayurveda from India, Traditional Chinese, Unani from the Middle-East and Kampo from Japan. These systems use complex and in-depth knowledge of how plant extracts can heal and protect health of the body and mind.
Product development
Our product development process is involved, in-depth and repetitive, because much like the way we grow our plants, we take a careful and painstaking approach to ensure the safety and efficacy of all products are maintained.
Nutraceuticals & Supplements
Nutraceuticals covers a wide range of products in the form of mixtures of liquids, or powders, that contain micronutrients, herbal extracts or other natural substances by themselves or in specific combinations (formulations). The word “-ceutical” is an adaptation of the word pharmaceutical.
Our background expertise in the development of nutraceuticals means that we can apply the same skills and knowledge to creating our own supplements, with guidance from healthcare professionals. This is evident in the diverse product ranges we have to offer for for the whole family, under both the Max Biocare and Pawlavie brands.
Skin, Personal Care & Topicals
Skin health can be a reflection of overall health and wellbeing. Working in the cosmetic and skincare space, through the development of the Belmarama was the catalyst to realizing the benefits that natural products can have on skin biology.
And pets are no different. Through the Pawlavie family, we follow the same principles to ensure healthy skin and coat condition continues to reflect our furry friends’ health and vitality.
We are focused on using natural ingredients because they are rich in substances like polyphenols, nature’s antioxidant powerhouse. These provide amazing protective benefits that we are still discovering.
Nutritionals
The plant kingdom offers a surprisingly wide variety of food sources that includes what are frequently called “nutrient dense” foods. Adding plant sources of vitamins, minerals and bio-actives provides a clean sustainable and complementary range of ingredients that are suitable for food use.
Our background in the food and nutritional space, through our Little Étoile family of products, has given us a strong foundation and understanding of how good nutrition is a fundamental contributor to good health, and this applies to all ages.
Collaborators
Having been in the health and wellness industry for more than 20 years, we have engaged with and established relationships with all kinds of professional groups including:
Medical & biomedical researchers
Hospital and medical specialists
Integrative health professionals
Government regulatory bodies
Food
scientists
Pharmacists
Naturopaths
Industry groups
Nutritionists
Dieticians
Medical & biomedical researchers
Hospital and medical specialists
Medical & biomedical researchers
Integrative health professionals
Food
scientists
Government regulatory bodies
Food
scientists
Pharmacists
Naturopaths
Industry groups
Nutritionists
Industry groups
Research and development processes don’t happen by themselves. Our R&D department is actively involved in all aspects of these collaborative enterprises.
Community engagement
Max Biocare Research Park plays an active role in the community at the nearby town of Yinnar, by working with local horticultural groups and engaging local support for our day-to-day land and plant care responsibilities.
Although we are a global company, we believe that it is our duty of care to support the local community that supports us.
Sustainability
We are currently investing in different methods that we can use to reduce our environmental impact and give back to our planet what has been taken out.
Land remediation
We are exploring new ways to use companion plants to mop up soil toxins and chemicals, creating a cleaner environment for our plantation. This ensures a safer crop and enables land to be rehabilitated from decades of sheep grazing.
We also employ biodynamic methods to restore nutrients to the soil. This involves returning left over organic material from the harvesting process back to the soil to help it rest and regenerate, creating a more sustainable process, while also restoring carbon.
Recycling waste products
Part of our efforts to make our processes and practices sustainable as we move forward is to reuse waste products from industry and agriculture. For example, our mushroom projects will use a certain percentage of their growth substrates from straw leftover from grain harvesting.
Chemical and pesticide free growing
Our flowering gardens attract all kinds of birdlife, which are natural predators of most insects and plant pests. So we try to let nature take care of this one!
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of the plants we have propagated have medicinal applications
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of our plant biodiversity supports bees and other insect pollinators
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of our plant & tree varieties are indigenous species
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of the plant species we grow are drought tolerant and water-saving
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of our land dedicated to water catchment and storage, to support wetland flora & fauna
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of the plants we have propagated have medicinal applications
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of our plant biodiversity supports bees and other insect pollinators
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of our plant & tree varieties are indigenous species
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of the plant species we grow are drought tolerant and water-saving
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of our land dedicated to water catchment and storage, to support wetland flora & fauna
At the heart of everything we do, we are committed to our promise – Evidenced Based, Natural, and Trust.
MBc Research Park
MBc Clinic
Max Biocare group acknowledges the Boonwurrung people of the Kulin nation, and the Braiakaulung people of the Gunnaikurnai Nation, on whose lands our business is conducted. We respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging.
Max Biocare Group acknowledges the Wurrunjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the East Kulin nation, and the Braiakaulung people of the Gunnaikurnai Nation, on whose lands our business is conducted. We respectfully acknowledge their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging.