Technology Description:

The invention is a method for modifying vegetable oils to produce sunscreen ingredients. A commercially availablelipase, Novozym**R 435, is used to catalyze the glycerolysis of vegetable oil with ethyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamate (ethyl ferulate). The stirred batch reactions proceed in the absence of solvent, resulting in a 77 percent conversion of ethyl ferulate to ultraviolet-absorbing lipids. These lipids absorb ultraviolet light between 290 to 370nm with a maximum absorbence at 327nm in the UVA region of the electromagnetic spectrum. UVA radiation causes little burning, but is believed to be responsible for wrinkling and premature aging of the skin suffered over long periods of exposure. The invention combines the ultraviolet-absorbing properties of a cinnamate with the water-insoluble properties of a lipid under mild, benign, solvent-free conditions, resulting in ultraviolet-absorbing lipids made from all natural ingredients. These ultraviolet-absorbing lipids would provide a new, value added use for vegetable oil. Since the invention is solvent free, it eliminates the cost of a solvent as well as the cost of solvent recycling and/or disposal. Octyl methoxycinnamate is currently used in 90 percent of all sunscreen products throughout the world, and the ultraviolet-absorbing lipids could serve as a one-to-one replacement.

Reference:

Please refer to USPN 6,346,236 (Docket #0263.99), "Novel Sunscreens from Vegetable Oil and Plant Phenols," which issued on December 12, 2002.  Foreign rights are available.

Inventors:

David L. Compton Biomaterials Processing Research, NCAUR Peoria, Illinois (309) 681-6321 / Fax: (309) 681-6685 comptond@ncaur.usda.gov

Joseph A. Laszlo (Same address as first inventor) (309) 681-6322 / Fax (309) 681-6685