Date of Award

6-2019

Document Type

Union College Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Department

Biochemistry

First Advisor

Laura A. MacManus-Spencer

Keywords

Photolysis, 4-MBC, UV Filter Chemical

Abstract

Organic ultraviolet filter chemicals (UVFCs) are a major class of chemicals found as the active ingredients in personal care products, most commonly in sunscreens, cosmetics, and lip balms, where their purpose is to protect the skin from UV radiation. These UVFCs pose potentially harmful effects, both to human health and to the environment. One such example of a UVFC is 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor. Also known as 4-MBC, 3-(4-methylbenzylidene) camphor is a camphor derivative and classified as an organic UV-B filter chemical. Interestingly, 4-MBC is not one of the 16 chemicals currently allowed by the FDA as an active ingredient in sunscreens, but it is often listed as an inactive ingredient despite the lack of knowledge. Thus, the goal of this research was to study 4-MBC to learn more about the UV filter chemical and its photoproduct. An Atlas Suntest XLS+ solar simulator, high performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to investigate the kinetics of 4-MBC photolysis alone and in the presence of fulvic acids. With this new-found information, we can better access the suitability of 4-MBC as an inactive ingredient in personal care products to ensure safety standards are met for human health, as well as environmental protection.

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Rights Statement

In Copyright