Plant’s natural sunscreen found to absorb all wavelengths of UV-B radiation

By Andrew MCDOUGALL

- Last updated on GMT

Plant’s natural sunscreen found to absorb all wavelengths of UV-B radiation

Related tags Ultraviolet

Researchers have uncovered the process that naturally protects plants from sunburn and it could help scientists create sunscreens that offer better protection.

Plants rely on sunlight to make their food, but they also need protection from its harmful rays, just like humans do.

Harsh ultraviolet radiation plants are exposed to daily can cause serious damage to plant DNA and, as a result, hinder plant growth.

Natural molecules

Timothy Zwier and colleagues at Purdue University, decided to look further into the protection process and discovered a group of molecules in plants called sinapate esters that are produced and sent to the outer layer of the leaves to protect themselves from sun damage.

"This molecule is a fantastic sunscreen and can absorb a remarkably broad spectrum of UV-B light – the entire spectrum," ​says Zwier, Purdue University's M.G. Mellon Distinguished Professor of Chemistry.

"It also is incredibly good at soaking up those rays, with each molecule capturing an impressive amount of UV-B light."

Intrigued by the work of a Purdue colleague, Clint Chapple, who discovered that these sinapate esters act as a plant sunscreen, Zwier and his team wanted to explore why these particular molecules were being used by the plants and uncover what makes them special in a new way.

In the study, the researchers coaxed the molecules into the gas phase and exposed them to UVB radiation from a laser in the laboratory.

They found that the particular sinapate ester that plants use as a screen against UVB was inherently capable of soaking up radiation at every wavelength across the UVB spectrum.

Thus, it is remarkably efficient at absorbing harsh radiation that could otherwise damage the plant.

Plant-made sunblock

Their findings further shore up the idea that this class of molecules does indeed comprise plant-made sunblock, the researchers say.

"This molecule absorbs all wavelengths of UV-B radiation with no gaps in coverage,"​ adds Zwier.

"Other molecules that are very similar to sinapoyl malate have gaps in their spectra that let some of the UV-B light slip through. This broad spectrum is exactly what is needed for a good sunscreen, that all wavelengths of harmful radiation are absorbed with high efficiency."

In addition to Zwier, co-authors of the paper include graduate students Jacob Dean and Patrick Walsh and visiting scholar Ryoji Kusaka from Purdue’s Department of Chemistry, and Florent Allais from AgroParisTech in France. It received funding from the Department of Energy Basic Energy Sciences and is published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Related topics Formulation & Science Skin Care

Related news

Show more

Related products

show more

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Exosomes: Passing Trend or Transformative Reality?

Content provided by Naolys | 26-Mar-2024 | White Paper

Exosomes, microscopic vesicles naturally present in abundance within Plant Cells, have garnered significant attention within the scientific and cosmetic...

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

How Nutricosmetics Can Enhance Skin Beauty

Content provided by Activ'Inside | 11-Dec-2023 | White Paper

In the ever-evolving realm of nutricosmetics, where inner wellness meets outer beauty, few natural ingredients have captured the spotlight quite like grapes.

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Ultimate Antimicrobial Solution for BPC

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 11-Oct-2023 | White Paper

Sharomix™ EG10, a versatile broad-spectrum antimicrobial liquid blend for preserving personal care products, ensures safety at usage levels ranging from...

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Acme-Hardesty Expands Product Line into Canada

Content provided by Acme-Hardesty Company | 07-Jul-2023 | Product Brochure

Acme-Hardesty’s latest expansion into Canada includes Resplanta®, Botaneco®, and BYK from our partners Sharon Personal Care and Eckart Effect Pigments...

Related suppliers