Research on extracting lotus essence to produce cosmetics.

Restore lotus area

Dong Thap is a locality with favourable conditions for lotus plants to grow. In recent times, many lotus growing models have brought high economic efficiency to people with profits 3-4 times higher than rice growing. In addition, Dong Thap cleverly increases the value of lotus trees by developing lotus-based tourism products and services and developing OCOP products.

Lotus is one of 5 industries included in the Agricultural Sector Restructuring Project of Dong Thap province (rice, pangasius, ornamental flowers and lotus) and is being developed to reduce costs and increase processed products towards quality, safety and sustainability.

Mr Nguyen Van Vu Minh, Director of the Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that the lotus plant has been associated with Dong Thap land since ancient times, so it is called the Land of Pink Lotus. In 2015, the total lotus growing area in the province was 1,265 ha, accounting for 3.5% of the entire province's crop area, with output reaching 984 tons.

However, in the period 2016 - 2019, the lotus area decreased quite sharply due to pests and diseases, lack of production links, and difficulties in product consumption, so there was only 800 - 880 ha left, and output ranges from 600 - 720 tons/year. From 2021 to now, the lotus area has been restored, reaching 1,300 ha, with an output of over 1,000 tons, planted in the districts of Thap Muoi, Tam Nong, Cao Lanh, Tan Hong and Lap Vo.

Mr Huynh Van Dung, a member of Hung Thanh Lotus Cooperative Group in the Thap Muoi district, excitedly said that in the past, people growing rice had unstable incomes. With the determination to change crops and lobbying from local authorities, Mr Dung himself and many households in the cooperative group chose lotus to replace rice.

Through research technical support and guidance from the industry, Mr. Dung's family's 2 ha of lotus in the first crops showed positive results and increased lotus productivity. In addition, local authorities also connect with businesses to help households in the cooperative group feel secure about the output, and focus on production according to the technical process so that the product meets the required quality.

Mr. Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, said that Dong Thap lotus trees are not only grown for seed-pot, roots. Now, lotus is also diversified with products from lotus essential oil, and lotus silk, to services such as visiting lotus fields, and enjoying cuisine from lotus, creating a high economic value chain. Currently, the lotus plant has been selected by the People's Committee of Dong Thap province as the province's key agricultural product in the period 2021 - 2025 and focused on building and developing the brand.

“Dong Thap province hopes that all lotus farmers, local production facilities and businesses will join hands to implement solutions to improve lotus production. Not only create a local brand but also promote the value of the province's lotus industry chain," Mr Nghia suggested.

Dong Thap - pure as a lotus soul

In addition to growing lotus to sell seed-pot, roots, leaves,..., lotus in Dong Thap is also processed into many favorite dishes, bringing efficiency to the culinary business. The delicious dishes in Dong Thap made from lotus must be mentioned such as lotus seed rice, lotus root salad, grilled snakehead fish wrapped in premature lotus leaves, lotus stewed chicken, lotus leaf tea, lotus heart tea, dried lotus seeds, lotus wine, lotus tea, boiled lotus, roasted lotus, lotus milk, lotus seed soybean powder, lotus seed green bean powder... Recently, the setting of a record of 200 dishes from lotus is also an opportunity to honour the typical culinary culture of Dong Thap.

Dong Thap currently has more than 20 lotus OCOP products with 3 - 4 stars, many high-quality products, artistic and delicate, promise to become thriving commodities such as lotus leaf calligraphy, lotus leaf paintings, fresh marinated lotus flowers, lotus silk, lotus milk, dried lotus seeds, premium lotus tea...

The province is also implementing activities to develop the lotus industry, paying close attention to supporting people and businesses in developing products processed from lotus plants. Especially the projects and businesses based on the lotus to bring products from Dong Thap lotus to sustainable development. Some startup projects from lotus have been successful such as Ecolotus of Khoi Minh Thanh Cong, Dong Thap Huong essential oil, Lien Tam lotus incense, and Ba Tre lotus seed milk...

Not only bringing economic efficiency with products processed from lotus, the lotus tree also becomes a symbol of Dong Thap's tourism industry. Tourism services, sightseeing lotus fields, and cuisine from lotus bring high economic value. In particular, the launch of the community tourism model "Thap Muoi Lotus Field" has attracted attention and created a surprise and uniqueness for tourists to visit and experience.

In the Thap Muoi district, households have exploited the type of experiential tourism associated with the lotus tree such as canoeing to admire the lotus fields, fishing, and enjoying country cuisine... The appearance of this model has created a bright spot for the tourism industry in Dong Thap. 

In 2017, Dong Thap implemented a project to create a local image and chose the slogan “Dong Thap - As pure as the soul of a lotus”, establishing a local identity and the brand name “The Land of the Pink Lotus” through the image of "Be Sen", registered for trademark "Thap Muoi Lotus"... From these policies, the image of Dong Thap is increasingly known and loved by tourists. The image of the lotus tree has been increasingly affirmed and become a symbol of the province. 

Approval of 2 scientific and technological projects on Lotus

Recently, Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee approved two science and technology projects on lotus. That is the topic of building a technological process for extracting natural compounds from lotus and applying them to produce cosmetics from a lotus in Dong Thap province. 

For the topic of extracting natural compounds from lotus and applying them to produce a cosmetic set from lotus, the expected products include the process of extracting natural compounds rich in alkaloids and polyphenols from fermented lotus leaves; The technological process of producing cosmetic sets such as masks, serums, creams and toners (skin balancing water)... The unit in charge of implementing this research project is Ecolotus Vietnam Co., Ltd. conducted by Master Ngo Chi Cong, Director of the company.

For the research project on the production process of essential oils and value-added products from lotus flowers, the unit in charge and control of the task is Huong Dong Thap Perfume Oil Production and Trading One Member Company Limited.

The expected product of this research project is a report analyzing and evaluating the composition of Dong Thap lotus essential oil, the process of extracting lotus essential oil is done by the maceration method using heat and treating the raw materials with ultrasonic waves. The process of extracting lotus essential oil is done by steam entrainment with ultrasonic treatment of raw materials and lotus essential oil (absolute essential oil and essential oil). Value-added products that utilize the extraction process include lotus essential oil interior sprays, lotus-scented candles, and lotus essential oil distillates.

Lotus is one of the key crops in the Dong Thap Agricultural Sector Restructuring Project for the period 2021 - 2025, therefore, the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee established the Dong Thap Lotus Industry Association to support production, processing, market connection, improve sales skills and access modern distribution channels. At the same time, build a pilot model of linkage chains between farmers - businesses - scientists - and the state to create and develop a sustainable domestic market, oriented towards export.