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Bolt Technology

MEET
B-SILKTM PROTEIN

B-silk is a biobased and vegan polypeptide that has been shown to outperform silicone elastomers in beauty and personal care products. A biodegradable film former that offers both visual and sensorial benefits, b-silk delivers silky softness, environmental defense, and clinically-proven results in skincare, hair care, & color cosmetics.

THE BENEFITS OF B-SILKTM

B-silk has been rigorously tested and shown to defend against blue light, UV, and pollution — in turn supporting the appearance of healthier skin and hair.

Performance benefits with b-silk protein:

  • Anti-aging
  • Pollution defense
  • Firming
  • Antioxidation
  • Long-lasting with no buildup
  • Microbiome-friendly
  • Hair styling & curl retention
  • Increased pigment payoff

B-silk has been rigorously tested and shown to defend against blue light, UV, and pollution — in turn supporting the appearance of healthier skin and hair.

Performance benefits with b-silk protein:

  • Anti-aging
  • Pollution defense
  • Firming
  • Antioxidation
  • Long-lasting with no buildup
  • Microbiome-friendly
  • Hair styling & curl retention
  • Increased pigment payoff

B-SILKTM APPLICATIONS

B-silkTM has a unique molecular structure that acts as a weightless defense system against environmental aggressors (like pollution and blue light) for skin and hair. B-silkTM is clinically proven to mitigate these negative effects in a variety of applications.

It is a stable, robust polypeptide that is easy to integrate into personal care formulas including shampoos, cleansers, lotions, masks, and more.

B-silkTM has a unique molecular structure that acts as a weightless defense system against environmental aggressors (like pollution and blue light) for skin and hair. B-silkTM is clinically proven to mitigate these negative effects in a variety of applications.

It is a stable, robust polypeptide that is easy to integrate into personal care formulas including shampoos, cleansers, lotions, masks, and more.

We researched silk proteins spun by spiders to determine what gives them their incredible properties like strength and softness.
Inspired by these natural silks, we bioengineered yeast to produce b-silkTM protein.
We produce b-silkTM protein in large quantities through fermentation using yeast, sugar, and water.
We isolate and purify the b-silkTM protein into a soft powder for use in beauty and personal care products.

Bolt Product

EIGHTEEN B

In March 2019, Bolt launched Eighteen B, a skincare brand featuring b-silkTM protein. Our proprietary ingredient protects and supports the skin barrier, giving results in as little as 4 weeks.

While Eighteen B products are no longer available, the benefits of b-silkTM protein can be experienced by joining the Beebe Lab.

In March 2019, Bolt launched Eighteen B, a skincare brand featuring b-silkTM protein. Our proprietary ingredient protects and supports the skin barrier, giving results in as little as 4 weeks.

While Eighteen B products are no longer available, the benefits of b-silkTM protein can be experienced by joining the Beebe Lab.

Bolt Partner

Vegamour

In November 2020, vegan beauty company Vegamour debuted its GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner made with b-silkTM protein. The formulas unlock the protein’s restorative properties to create a nourishing moisture barrier, providing volume and shine without the use of animal-derived keratin or synthetic polymers.

In November 2020, vegan beauty company Vegamour debuted its GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner made with b-silkTM protein. The formulas unlock the protein’s restorative properties to create a nourishing moisture barrier, providing volume and shine without the use of animal-derived keratin or synthetic polymers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why silk protein?

Silk is an amazing material that has been used in textiles for 5,000 years and utilized in sutures and wound healing for centuries. It is well known for its tunability and allows for the fabrication of a diverse range of structures, such as powders, films, hydrogels, scaffolds, fibers, and solids to name a few. Scientists can infuse silk with new material features, resulting in tunable, biodegradable, robust biomaterials for a range of applications in biomedicine, textiles, beauty, and more.

Why does it matter that b-silkTM protein is unhydrolyzed?

Proteins are some of the most structurally complex and functionally sophisticated molecules known. In the case of silk, one of its attributes that makes it so special is that it has a very high molecular weight. When silk protein is extracted from silkworm cocoons, it is frequently broken down using a process called molecular hydrolysis. This process degrades the high molecular weight protein into smaller pieces. This can compromise its valuable properties, like tunability and strength. We have developed a scalable process to make unhydrolyzed silk proteins that retain all of their valuable properties and can deliver them to various applications.

How are silk proteins going to be less impactful on the environment than other materials?

Silk proteins are inherently biodegradable and can be produced in a sustainable, closed-loop process. We are hoping that by helping companies move away from petroleum-based materials and chemicals, we can start to write a better future for our planet.

Do your materials contain GMOs?

No. Our Microsilk fibers do not contain any genetically modified organisms. The process we use to make our fibers does utilize genetically modified yeast. After fermentation is complete, the silk protein is purified from the yeast, and the remaining yeast cells are destroyed by heat via the same methods used to pasteurize milk. There are no GMO yeast present in the final material. The sugar we use as feedstock is made from corn, and 88% of all corn produced in the US is genetically modified. The technology we’re using is not new; in fact, genetically engineered organisms have been fermented to make recombinant products, insulin, and vaccines for decades, safely.

How are spiders involved in your process?

No spiders are harmed in the making of b-silk protein! In fact, there are no spiders at all in the process. We originally studied real spider silk to understand the relationship between the spider DNA and the characteristics of the fibers they make. Today’s technology allows us to make those proteins without using spiders, which is a big relief to the arachnophobes among our team.

Is this the same technology used to make Microsilk?

B-silkTM protein is the output of our fermentation process and the starting raw ingredient for our high-tech fiber. We study silk proteins and bioengineer yeast to produce silk protein using fermentation. We can use silk protein to make Microsilk fiber or we can collect the protein powder to be used in other applications, such as beauty.

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