Consumer products manufacturer Procter & Gamble surely would not stop until it discovers the most effective ways to curtail common consumer problems. Recently, a scientific team formed to identify the real cause of dandruff has successfully cracked the genome or genetic composition of the fungus that mainly leads to the formation and accumulation of dandruff in the hair. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The research was commissioned to help the company find a better and more effective formula for its popular Head & Shoulders shampoo brand.

The initiative successfully mapped the genetic composition of Malassezia globosa, the type of fungus that is known to cause dandruff by living and feeding on the scalp’s sebum or oils and the substances containing fats on the skin. Malassezia is known to cause itching and discomfort and is also identified with the production of silvery flakes that people see sprinkled in the heads of the patients. What is more alarming is that other studies suggest that the fungus can also lead to a host of many other types of skin diseases. Thus, the breakthrough discovery is welcomed by the medical community as a whole.

In the recently concluded research, the researchers grew about 10 liters of malassezia is a specially designed and made containment area for study. The amount was equivalent to such fungi found in about 10 million people. Through having the fungus contained in a secured and controlled area, the exact DNA was extracted and the exact genetic code of the organism was totally cracked. The action successfully showed how about 50 various types of enzymes are produced by the fungi to break down and digest hair nutrients and scalp, an action that leads to itching, inflammation and irritation when there is dandruff.

Now, malassezia, which is also held responsible for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema, can be curtailed effectively. Targeting the fungus at the molecular level would surely help prevent and stop any problems that arise from it. Thus, dandruff is seen as a problem that would be just a thin in the past. With the significant number of anti-dandruff shampoos and hair products available in the market, it is interesting to note that not all of them are proven to be 100% effective. But because of the breakthrough research, expect to see the most effective and sure way to treat dandruff in the near future.

Significantly, malassezia is also related to several other problems linked to agriculture. The fungus is also known to lead to several topical diseases on wheat, corn and other important crops. With the discovery of fungus DNA, there sure would be new measures on how such problems can be resolved. Thus, the breakthrough discovered by the P&G initiative is one that is to benefit not just hair consumers but also other sectors of the society like agriculture. In the future, dandruff and other problems caused by malassezia fungi would just be history.