New dandruff research head & shoulders above the rest

William Atkins
Thursday, 08 November 2007 21:21

Science - Health

The genetic code of a fungus that causes dandruff has been discovered, which should lead to more effective ways to eliminate dandruff and maintain a clean head of hair.       

The study, which was directed by scientists from Procter and Gamble Beauty, a leading shampoo company in the United States, was written up in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

Dr. Thomas Dawson, one of the researches in the study, stated that the genome (the complete set of chromosomes inherited from previous generations) for the fungus species Malassezia globosa was identified. It contained 4,285 genes. This particular fungus eats human skin and is the cause of the flaking and itching associated with the condition called dandruff.

Dawson states that, on average, about ten million M. globosa fungi live on the human head and eat sebum, which is an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin. Sebum, which consists of lipids (fat) and dead cells, acts to prevent dry skin and hair. It can also cause oily hair when it is not washed for days.

The researchers found that M. globosa uses eight types of lipases (water soluble enzymes) and three phospholipases (enzymes that convert phospholipids into fatty acids and other such substances) to break down sebum by digesting the oils in the scalp.

In the process, the fungi create a compound called oleic acid (a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid). The oleic acid that is produced causes a larger-than-normal amount of skin cells to be made, which then causes more dead cells than normal to be produced—which causes dandruff.

The Dawson team suspects that further research will help to develop better anti-dandruff products to fight dandruff in humans.