Ultrafast Photoprotecting Sunscreens in Natural Plants

Ultrafast Photoprotecting Sunscreens in Natural Plants.

We explore the ultrafast photoprotective properties of a series of sinapic acid derivatives in a range of solvents, utilizing femtosecond transient electronic absorption spectroscopy. We find that a primary relaxation mechanism displayed by the plant sunscreen sinapoyl malate and other related molecular species may be understood as a multistep process involving internal conversion of the initia...

Computational exploration of natural sunscreens.

The photoprotective role of a family of compounds found in very different organisms is assessed by means of CASPT2//CASSCF computations. The potential use of these compounds in commercial applications in order to effectively dissipate light energy is explored.

Observing and understanding the ultrafast photochemistry in small molecules: applications to sunscreens.

In this review, we discuss the importance of biological and artificial photoprotection against overexposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation. Transient electronic and transient vibrational absorption spectroscopies are highlighted as important tools in understanding the energy transfer in small molecules, with a focus on the application to commercial sunscreens with representative examples give...

Microbial sunscreens

Basking in the sun on an Australian beach, I began to feel a burning sensation from excessive UV irradiation and decided not to wait for the ozone layer to return. As first aid I scraped some algae and cyanobacteria from the blistering rocks and smeared them on my exposed skin. Why? Because these organisms contain sunscreen compounds to protect themselves from harmful doses of UV-B (280–315 nm)...

Natural Toxins in Food Plants