title: Use of Agave tequilana-lignin and zinc oxide nanoparticles for skin photoprotection.
abstract: The use of sunscreens is essential for preventing skin damage and the potential appearance of skin cancer in humans. Inorganic active components such as zinc oxide (ZnO) have been used commonly in sunscreens due to their ability to block UVA radiation. This ultraviolet (UV) protection might be enhanced to cover the UVB and UVC bands when combined with other components such as titanium dioxide (TiO2). In this work we evaluate the photoprotection properties of organic nanoparticles made from lignin in combination with ZnO nanoparticles as active ingredients for sunscreens. Lignin nanoparticles were synthesized from Agave tequilana lignin. Two different pulping methods were used for dissolving lignin from agave bagasse. ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by the precipitation method. All nanoparticles were characterized by SEM, UV-Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Nanoparticles were mixed with a neutral vehicle in different concentrations and in-vitro sun protection factor (SPF) values were calculated. Different sizes of spherical lignin nanoparticles were obtained from the spent liquors of two different pulping methods. ZnO nanoparticles resulted with a flake shape. The mixture of all components gave SPF values in a range between 4 and 13. Lignin nanoparticles showed absorption in the UVB and UVC regions which can enhance the SPF value of sunscreens composed only of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Lignin nanoparticles have the added advantage of being of organic nature and its brown color can be used to match the skin tone of the person using it.
authors: Coordination for the Innovation and Application of Science and Technology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, 78000 San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico.
authors: José Manuel
authors: JM
authors: Gutiérrez-Hernández
authors: Department of Wood, Cellulose and Paper Research, University of Guadalajara, 45110 Guadalajara, Jal, Mexico.
authors: Alfredo
authors: A
authors: Escalante
authors: Department of Wood, Cellulose and Paper Research, University of Guadalajara, 45110 Guadalajara, Jal, Mexico.
authors: Raquel Nalleli
authors: RN
authors: Murillo-Vázquez
authors: Department of Wood, Cellulose and Paper Research, University of Guadalajara, 45110 Guadalajara, Jal, Mexico.
authors: Ezequiel
authors: E
authors: Delgado
authors: Coordination for the Innovation and Application of Science and Technology, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosi, 78000 San Luis Potosi, SLP, Mexico.
authors: Francisco Javier
authors: FJ
authors: González
authors: Department of Wood, Cellulose and Paper Research, University of Guadalajara, 45110 Guadalajara, Jal, Mexico. Electronic address: gtoriz@dmcyp.cucei.udg.mx.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Toríz
mesh_terms: D027882:Agave / Q000737:chemistry*; D004339:Drug Compounding; D008031:Lignin / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D059405:Sun Protection Factor; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D008031:Lignin; D015034:Zinc Oxide
keywords: Nanoparticles; Suncare/UV protection; Sunscreens; UV/VIS spectroscopy