AFTER deviating from his passion, biochemistry, and going into financial services, Ryan Clarke reunited with his love when he started NutraGanics, a start-up farm specialising in the cultivation and production of non-traditional plants and plant by-products used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and processed food industries.

The farm, which began operation in September 2012 with the planting of about 200 roots of lemon grass, now has aloe vera, peppermint, sage and basil as additional products.

According to Clarke, because of his science background, he felt the need to put his training to use.

“I always had the idea to develop a lab that developed products locally from local plants and materials. From a discussion with my sister, we agreed to go into lemon grass farming and extraction of the oil, but after more research we decided to include aloe vera as the scope was greater,” Clarke said.

The farm, which rests on 14 acres of Clarke’s family land in Glengoffe, St Catherine, uses pure aloe vera juice or gel as its flagship product, which is distributed to local natural hairstylists, cosmetic suppliers and individuals who make their requests.

“We have since branched out to produce natural and natural-based cosmetics, such as our low-sulphate aloe vera shampoo and conditioner,” Clarke said.

One essential role of the company is the extraction of the aloe gel, which Clarke said is not as simple as it appears to be.

“Our extraction process is done manually, primarily because of the volume we now extract. We harvest the leaves, and clean the leaves by washing away all the dirt and build-up with clean running water. The leaves are then immersed in a saline (salt) solution and scrubbed with a mild brush. The leaves are then cut and the alonin and alkaloids ( the yellow-brown pungent liquid that drains from the leaves when they are cut) are drained from the leaves.

“The leaves are cleaned again and then filleted [removing the spikes from the leaves lengthwise]. The gel is then extracted and preservatives are added. It is then blended in a commercial-grade blender and the aloe fibres [slightly white veins running lengthwise through the clear gel] are filtered out and the remaining product is refrigerated until ready for use,” Clarke explained.

Clarke sees the aloe vera as a miracle plant based on its various uses.

“It’s good for practically everything — dry scalp, soothing burns, and as a purger. Also we were looking for nutraceutical plants that were easy to cultivate and required little care. Aloe vera fits this bill.”

Clarke said what sets his business apart is his ability to get the aloe vera extract, which is almost 100 per cent pure, at a low price to his customers.

“The market really needed that as some manufacturers were using aloe vera in its powdered form, where almost all its nutraceutical properties were destroyed. We also realised that although many products that are on the cosmetic shelves said aloe vera, they contained less than five per cent aloe vera and in a lot of cases less than one per cent, thus giving the customers very little benefit of the plant,” he said.

Clarke added that he has received tremendous support from Beautiful Earth Hair Haven and Asherlee Naturals, and maintained that his key market has been individuals who have used their products and recommend them to their friends and families.

With the tagline ‘Nature’s Treatment for Any Type of Hair’, NutraGanics produces low-sulphate aloe vera shampoo, aloe vera moisturising conditioner and pure aloe vera extract, which are infused with peppermint, lemon grass and basil. Set to be launched in December are its aloe vera gel, face wash, body wash, hair and skin treatment, sulphate-free shampoo and a skin-based moisturiser, all made from aloe vera.