Two Paraguayan secondary school students, Nicole Wu and Adriana Ojeda, both 17, are conducting scientific research on urucú seeds. Their research aims to extract red pigments from the seeds and develop natural cosmetic products. Urucú is a shrub whose seeds were traditionally used by Guaraní communities as a natural skin colourant. Through this initiative, the students aim to honour this cultural practice. They also hope to inspire other young women to pursue similar scientific interests.
The idea behind the study emerged at the beginning of 2026, when their teacher and project supervisor, Barby Ávalos, sparked their curiosity by mentioning the traditional use of this native plant. The study, titled De la naturaleza a la piel: valorización del urucú (Bixa orellana) para la formulación de un maquillaje natural (From Nature to Skin: Exploring Urucú for the Formulation of Natural Make-up), is being conducted at the Instituto Cristiano Interactivo (ICI) in Ciudad del Este. Both students are currently completing their final year of secondary school at the institution.
Driven by their own curiosity
Although their teacher originally introduced the idea, it eventually developed into an independent research project through the students’ own efforts. Ávalos highlights the pair’s independent work:
“The project itself emerged from their own curiosity and their own decision. It is not part of any school project, science fair or class. Rather, it stems from their own interest in chemistry and the properties of this plant that they discovered together. They are devoting their own spare time to this project, outside of school hours. They are 100% responsible for the research behind it.”
Reclaiming ancestral knowledge through science
Urucú is the Guaraní name for an evergreen plant that produces an ovoid, heart-shaped fruit containing vibrant red seeds. Bixin, a pigment extracted from these seeds, has historically been used by Guaraní communities for different purposes. These include insect repellent, sun protection and body paint.
The duo aims to preserve this last application. “We want to inspire others to also produce make-up using local plants, and to carry on with the traditions of our ancestors. We want to maintain these traditions of using natural products so that they are not forgotten,” says Nicole.
Through their research, Nicole and Adriana hope to demonstrate how ancestral knowledge can contribute to the development of modern cosmetic products.
The experimental process
Within a month of research and testing in the school’s laboratory, the students achieved their first results. Although some formulations were unsuccessful, they managed to produce blushes and lip balms containing natural ingredients such as shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil.
To begin the process, “we grind the seeds into a fine powder,” explains Adriana. Then, “the powder is mixed with different substances.”
“Although the dye initially appears red, when we apply it on the skin, it turns a bit yellowish,” she explains. To obtain the desired red hue, “we are going to continue investigating to see how we can extract it,” Adriana adds.
Seeking to improve their results, the students are now investigating how temperature variations could help extract a more intense red pigment, characteristic of urucú seeds.
Inspiring women in science
“We place great value on their curiosity. They had the drive to embark on this project, without any obligation or incentive, but simply for the sake of research and the very act of doing science,” the tutor emphasises.
She believes the most important message conveyed by their example is “to inspire other girls and women to step into the laboratory, conduct research and pursue science, just as they did.”
Meanwhile, Adriana Ojeda encourages other girls her age who wish to follow in their footsteps “to do everything they can to achieve their goals and never give up. That is the most important thing.”
Beyond their achievements in developing natural cosmetic products, their initiative highlights the importance of encouraging women to pursue scientific careers while preserving Paraguay’s ancestral knowledge.
