Smart farm-grown plant unlocks hair health benefits... Korea Food Research Institute succeeds in functional food ingredient development

The Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI) has successfully developed a functional ingredient derived from a smart farm-grown plant, drawing attention from both scientific and industrial circles. In collaboration with the domestic smart-farming company Wooree Green Science, KFRI identified Justicia procumbens, cultivated in a smart-farm environment, as a potent natural ingredient that promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. This marks a major milestone in the development of functional foods for improving hair health.

Securing high-quality and stable raw materials is a critical first step in the development of functional foods. Traditionally, such materials have been sourced from open-field cultivation, which faces limitations because of climate change, unstable supply chains, and rising costs. To address these issues, KFRI introduced smart farming systems to ensure the stable procurement of high-quality plant materials. Using its proprietary scientific screening platform, KFRI selected Justicia procumbens as a promising candidate for promoting hair health.

The efficacy of the plant extract was validated through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, demonstrating its protective effects against testosterone-induced hair damage. This was followed by a randomized, controlled human clinical trial that yielded positive results. After 24 weeks, participants who consumed the extract showed significant improvements in hair diameter (+3.7%), shine (+6.9%), and elasticity (+12.3%).

Building on these results, KFRI has completed preparations to submit Justicia procumbens for registration as an individually approved functional ingredient with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea, a key step toward commercialization. The research outcomes have not only been filed for domestic patent protection but have also been published in reputable international journals—Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy for animal studies and Heliyon for clinical trials—highlighting the scientific credibility and industrial potential of this project.

Dr. Chang-Hwa Jung, principal researcher at KFRI, commented, “This project demonstrates not only the therapeutic potential of a single plant-derived compound but also the viability of smart agriculture as a sustainable production model for the functional food industry. We have paved the way for global market competitiveness by scientifically validating domestically sourced natural supplements.”

As Korea’s hair care market surpasses KRW 4 trillion in scale, KFRI’s success offers a high-value alternative to imported ingredients and pharmaceuticals, which often present issues related to side effects and long-term efficacy. Furthermore, this research model highlights the value of collaboration between public research institutions and private companies, with expectations for job creation and expansion of the industrial ecosystem in the functional food sector.

KFRI plans to continue integrating AI-powered screening technologies, bioinformatics, and smart farming into a high-level platform to scientifically validate the efficacy and safety of native Korean plant resources. The institute is committed to transforming these resources into premium functional food solutions with strong global export potential.

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KFRI is a government-funded research institute in the food sector, established in 1987, that contributes to national industrial development and enhances the quality of life for the public through research and development, the creation of public value, dissemination of achievements, and technical support in the food sector. KFRI leads innovative food research and drives the future of the food industry. Furthermore, by prioritizing public health and quality of life, KFRI strives to address various societal challenges and create new value.