Development of a Chlorophyll-Based Environmentally Friendly Sunscreen

Abstract

Chlorophyll is a green pigment molecule found in photosynthesizing plants. The molecule contains a magnesium ion, a porphyrin ring, and a saturated long-chain phytol tail. Involved in the function of photosynthesis, chlorophyll is light-absorbing due to its conjugated system. Similarly, many regular sunscreens contain chemical UV filters with a light-absorbing conjugated diene region, or mineral UV filters, to absorb UV rays and prevent sunburn-induced skin damage. Chemical sunscreen filters are found to cause coral reef bleaching and are not environmentally friendly. Coral in the environment mitigates shoreline storm erosion, supports marine life and biodiversity, and sustains global fisheries. Chlorophyllin is a chlorophyll derivative that contains a copper ion and a porphyrin ring but has carboxyl groups instead of the long tail. Modification of chlorophyllin by conjugating it to a diene would allow greater light absorption while maintaining its natural structure. Using a natural light-absorbing molecule, such as chlorophyllin, may be a viable alternative to chemical UV filters. In this work, we sought to purify chlorophyllin and modify its structure to synthesize a more efficient light-absorbing molecule. Based on the findings of this research, we plan to develop an alternative to chemical UV filters to synthesize a more ecologically friendly sunscreen.