Search Results (132)

This work demonstrates the potential of polydimethylsiloxane sponges for removing organic UV filter compounds such as octinoxate from aqueous solutions. The sponges were fabricated using simple templates made of hydrophilic fused or pressed particles (sugar or NaCl salt) with an approximate particle size of 0.4 mm. Among the prepared sponges, those templated with sugar cubes or coarse salt exhibited the highest adsorption capacity, effectively adsorbing up to 0.6% of their own mass in octinoxate. The PDMS sponges were fully regenerable, allowing for the complete removal of octinoxate without any detectable changes in their adsorption properties or dry weight. Due to their simple fabrication, ease of handling, ability to float, and reusability, PDMS sponges present an environmentally friendly and low-maintenance alternative to conventional filtration systems for the removal of octinoxate and potentially other UV filter compounds from environmental surface waters and recreational water bodies. Full article

Oxybenzone (OBZ), an organic ultraviolet filter, is an emerging contaminant posing severe threats to ecosystem health. Using tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) as a model plant, this study investigated the alleviation mechanisms of exogenous silicon (Na₂SiO₃, Si) and bamboo-based biochar (Bc) under OBZ stress. We systematically analyzed physiological and biochemical responses, including phenotypic parameters, reactive oxygen species metabolism, photosynthetic function, chlorophyll synthesis, and endogenous hormone levels. Results reveal that OBZ significantly inhibited tobacco growth and triggered a reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst. Additionally, OBZ disrupted antioxidant enzyme activities and hormonal balance. Exogenous Bc mitigated OBZ toxicity by adsorbing OBZ, directly scavenging ROS, and restoring the ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, thereby enhancing photosynthetic efficiency, while Si alleviated stress via cell wall silicification, preferential regulation of root development and hormonal signaling, and repair of chlorophyll biosynthesis precursor metabolism and PSII function. The mechanisms of the two stress mitigators were complementary, Bc primarily relied on physical adsorption and ROS scavenging, whereas Si emphasized metabolic regulation and structural reinforcement. These findings provide practical strategies for simultaneously mitigating organic UV filter pollution and enhancing plant resilience in contaminated soils. Full article

Calcipotriol, a synthetic vitamin D₃ analogue widely used in psoriasis treatment, requires a detailed stability assessment due to its topical application and potential exposure to UV radiation. As a drug applied directly to the skin, calcipotriol is particularly susceptible to photodegradation, which may affect its therapeutic efficacy and safety profile. The present study focuses on the analysis of calcipotriol photostability. An advanced UHPLC/MS^E method was employed for the precise determination of calcipotriol and its degradation products. Particular attention was given to the effects of commonly used organic UV filters—approved for use in cosmetic products in both Europe and the USA (benzophenone-3, dioxybenzone, meradimate, sulisobenzone, homosalate, and avobenzone)—on the stability of calcipotriol. Unexpected degradation of calcipotriol was observed in the presence of sulisobenzone. Importantly, this effect was consistently detected in methanolic solution and in the pharmaceutical formulation containing calcipotriol and betamethasone, which is particularly significant from a practical perspective. This finding underscores the necessity of evaluating photostability under real-life conditions, as cosmetic ingredients, when co-applied with topical drugs on the skin, may substantially influence the stability profile of the pharmaceutical active ingredient. The research resulted in the first-time characterization of four degradation products of calcipotriol. The degradation process was found to primarily affect the E-4-cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1-methylbut-2-en-1-yl moiety, causing its isomerization to the Z isomer and the formation of diastereomers with either the R or S configuration. Computational analyses using the OSIRIS Property Explorer indicated that none of the five degradation products exhibit a toxicity effect, whereas molecular docking studies suggested possible binding of two of the five degradation products of calcipotriol with the VDR. Full article

Sunscreens are a major environmental concern because they are continually used and contain some of the most toxic compounds found in wastewater. The removal of sunscreen Types A and B was evaluated separately by modeling the effects of domestic waste-containing sunscreens. Different methods, such as electrocoagulation (EC), electro-oxidation (EO), ozonation (O₃), and a combined electrooxidation-ozonation method (EO-O₃), were analyzed based on the TOC and COD. All treatment methods exhibited high efficiency in degrading Type B sunscreen solutions. For Type A treatment, the best methods involved the use of ozone, with efficiencies of up to ~99% removal for Type B sunscreen and ~81% for Type A sunscreen. Overall, the best treatment method was the combined EO-O₃ (99.1% removal for Type B and 88.8% for Type A). EO-O₃ treatment was applied to pool water samples, achieving a COD removal of 79.5% after 15 min of treatment. Bioassays were performed using organic sativa common lettuce seeds to demonstrate the toxicity of the treated sunscreen-contaminated water before and after treatment. This paper offers promising results for a sustainable method of sunscreen removal, evaluating complete formulas rather than isolated UV filters. Full article

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a primary risk factor for various skin disorders, including erythema, sunburn, and skin cancer. Sunscreens containing UV filters, categorized as organic or inorganic, are widely utilized to mitigate these effects. Among inorganic UV filters, titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and zinc oxide (ZnO) are prominently used due to their favorable safety and achievable broad-spectrum protection profiles. This review focuses on the properties, safety, and efficacy of TiO₂ and ZnO in sunscreens, emphasizing their mechanisms of action, photostability, and impacts on human health and the environment. Key factors influencing their performance include particle size, surface coatings, and formulation pH. Despite recognized advantages, concerns about toxicity—particularly related to nanoparticle penetration and reactive oxygen species generation—highlight the need for robust safety assessments. Additionally, the environmental impacts of inorganic UV filters, including bioaccumulation and effects on aquatic ecosystems, warrant consideration. Advances in nanoparticle synthesis, bioactive compound integration, and environmentally friendly formulations offer pathways to enhance sunscreen efficacy and safety, providing opportunities for innovation in photoprotection. Full article

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a critical scientific tool for assessing human exposure by quantifying chemicals and their metabolites in biological specimens such as blood and urine. This approach provides a comprehensive and accurate evaluation of internal exposures from diverse sources and exposure routes. In Ireland, establishing a national HBM programme requires a systematic chemical prioritisation process that aligns global frameworks with local public perceptions. This study integrates insights from international initiatives such as the European Joint Programme Human Biomonitoring for Europe (HBM4EU) and the Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC)—along with HBM programmes from EU countries (Germany, France, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia, Czech Republic, and Sweden) and non-EU countries (US, Canada, South Korea, China, and New Zealand). In addition, a national survey was conducted to capture the perceptions of people in Ireland regarding chemicals of concern to develop a comprehensive priority list of chemicals and biomarkers. The broader chemical groups identified include heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium VI), plasticisers (phthalates), bisphenols, pesticides, flame retardants, PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), POPs (persistent organic compounds), VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and UV (ultraviolet) filters. This integrated, participatory approach provides a roadmap for a robust, adaptable chemical list that supports evidence-based policy decisions in HBM in Ireland and enhances public health outcomes. Full article

Early life stages are pivotal to the functioning and resilience of ecological systems, displaying heightened vulnerability to environmental changes and exposure to contaminants. Octocrylene (OC), an organic ultraviolet (UV) filter, and its breakdown product benzophenone (BP) are commonly found in aquatic environments, but their impact on keystone processes determining the success or failure of the early life stages of marine organisms remains underexplored. This study aims to assess the impacts of OC and BP at environmentally realistic concentrations (1, 10, and 100 µg.L⁻¹), over a 24 h exposure period, on larvae of the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas). A multiparametric approach was employed, examining DNA integrity, embryo–larval development and swimming velocity. The results showed that DNA integrity and swimming velocity were not affected by OC or BP; however, both compounds increased developmental abnormalities in D-shaped larvae in all concentrations tested. Considering the robustness of morphological parameters, often assumed as irreversible, and their critical influence on larvae survival, these findings suggest that environmentally relevant concentrations of OC and BP may threaten the success of oyster larvae, potentially impacting the population’s long-term stability and, ultimately, raising ecological health issues. Full article

A detailed understanding of the toxic effects of organic UV filters, such as oxybenzone, on living organisms is crucial for assessing the feasibility of bioremediation methods. Due to the widespread use of oxybenzone as an ultraviolet filter in sunscreens, it has become an emerging contaminant of concern in the environment. This concern extends to fungi, which have the potential to neutralize a wide variety of xenobiotics released into the environment. The primary objective of the study was to elucidate the alterations of antioxidant profiles of the white-rot fungus Lentinula edodes in response to oxybenzone exposure. Samples with oxybenzone at a final concentration of 0.1 mg mL⁻¹ were cultured in vitro with the mycelium of L. edodes for 14 days. The contents of the following antioxidant compounds were assessed: indole derivatives (6-methyl-D,L-tryptophan, tryptophan), ergothioneine, and phenolic acid (p-hydroxybenzoic acid), as well as lovastatin and ergosterol. The addition of oxybenzone negatively affected biomass growth, reducing it from 3.205 ± 0.4022 g to 0.5803 ± 0.1019 g. A considerable reduction in oxybenzone amounts was found in the medium after incubation (from 25 mg to 0.2993 ± 0.1934 mg). After lyophilization, the mycelium contained 1.1591 ± 0.0323 mg of oxybenzone. Additionally, eleven biotransformation products were assessed in the mycelium and medium samples using UPLC-Q ToF. After incubation, the transformation products were identified based on monoisotopic molecular mass and fragmentation spectra. The observed increase in the content of some antioxidants, e.g., ergothioneine, while reducing the content of others, such as lovastatin, suggests that the impact of xenobiotics on the antioxidant profile of in vitro cultures of L. edodes is complex. Marked alterations in biomass growth suggest a potential toxicological risk associated with oxybenzone. This study contributes to the understanding of the environmental impact of UV filters and emphasizes the need for safer alternatives. Full article

Using sunscreens is one of the most widespread measures to protect human skin from sun ultraviolet radiation (UVR) damage. However, several studies have highlighted the toxicity of certain inorganic and organic UV filters used in sunscreens for the marine environment and human health. An alternative strategy may involve the use of natural products of marine origin to counteract UVR-mediated damage. Ovothiols are sulfur-containing amino acids produced by marine invertebrates, microalgae, and bacteria, endowed with unique antioxidant and UV-absorption properties. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of synthetic L-5-sulfanyl histidine derivatives, inspired by natural ovothiols, on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) upon UVA exposure. By using a custom-made experimental set-up to assess the UV screening ability, we measured the levels of cytosolic and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), as well as cell viability and apoptosis in HDFs, in the presence of tested compounds, after UVA exposure, using flow cytometry assays with specific fluorescent probes. The results show that L-5-sulfanyl histidine derivatives display a UV screening capacity and prevent loss in cell viability, the production of cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS induced by UVA exposure in HDFs, and subsequent apoptosis. Overall, this study sheds light on the potential applications of marine-inspired sulfur-containing amino acids in developing alternative eco-safe sunscreens for UVR skin protection. Full article

A novel catalyst, composed of silver phosphate (Ag₃PO₄) deposited on a magnetic material containing titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and ferromagnetite (Fe₃O₄), was synthesized and tested with wastewater from the maintenance system of a swimming pool and from the secondary effluent of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The magnetic material Ag₃PO₄@1-TiO₂-Fe₃O₄ presented a slightly lower photoactivity than bare Ag₃PO₄ but was able to remove over 64% COD from the secondary effluent of a WWTP and over 75% organic UV filters from a swimming pool wastewater. The material was easily recovered from the treated water with a magnet and could be reused at least four times. The efficiency loss after five reuses was 15%. The dissolution of silver after the photocatalytic reaction was over 80 mg·L⁻¹ for bare Ag₃PO₄ and less than 500 μg·L⁻¹ for the magnetic composites. The magnetic support prevents the dissolution of silver. The materials that contained Ag₃PO₄ showed antibacterial properties under dark conditions. The photocatalytic efficiency of Ag₃PO₄ and commercial TiO₂ was similar under sunlight, both for the removal of UV filters at µg·L⁻¹ concentrations from swimming pool wastewater, and for the removal of mild COD loads from a WWTP effluent (initial COD: 110 mg·L⁻¹). Full article

Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation mainly leads to skin disorders (erythema, burns, immunosuppression), skin aging, and skin cancer as the most serious side effect. It has been widely accepted that using sunscreen products is an important way to protect against the harmful effects of UV rays. Although commercial sunscreens have constantly changed and improved over time, there are emerging concerns about the safety of conventional, organic, UV filters due to adverse effects on humans (such as photoallergic dermatitis, contact sensitivity, endocrine-disrupting effects, etc.) as well as accumulation in the environment and aquatic organisms. This is why natural compounds are increasingly being investigated and used in cosmetic and pharmaceutical sunscreens. Some of these compounds are widely available, non-toxic, safer for use, and have considerable UV protective properties and less side effects. Plant-based compounds such as flavonoids can absorb UVA and UVB rays and possess antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and anti-inflammatory effects that contribute to photoprotection. Apart from flavonoids, other natural products such as certain vegetable oils, carotenoids, stilbenes, and ferulic acid also have UV-absorbing properties. Some vitamins might also be beneficial for skin protection due to their antioxidant activity. Therefore, the aim of this research was to gain insight into the potential of natural compounds to replace or reduce the amount of conventional UV filters, based on recent research. Full article

In this work, we revisited the method of effervescence-assisted microextraction, aiming to assess the effects of the process of effervescence on the extraction efficiency of organic compounds. We used a magnetic nano-sorbent material composed of stearic acid-coated cobalt-ferrite magnetic nanoparticles as an adsorbent and dispersed it in water using 12 combinations of acid and base mixtures at two different mass ratios. The solution pH, the ionic strength, and the duration of effervescence were calculated and correlated to the extraction efficiency of nonpolar UV filters from aqueous samples as model organic compounds. Our findings provide a general perspective into the influence of the process of effervescence on extraction efficiency. Based on these findings, we developed and optimized a new analytical method for extracting UV filters from water samples using HPLC-UV as a detector. Under the optimum experimental conditions (0.2 g fumaric acid/0.1 g Na₂CO₃, 50 mg of magnetic nanoparticles and methanol as an elution solvent assisted by vortex agitation for 5 min) the method was found to afford good linearity in the calibration curves expanding by two orders of magnitude, satisfactory reproducibility and repeatability (1.8–11.1%), and high recoveries (78.4–127.1%). This research provides a new perspective on the influence of the process of effervescence on the extraction efficiency of nonpolar organic compounds and introduces a new method for extracting UV filters from aqueous media. Full article

Environmental pollution poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems, necessitating costly and time-consuming remediation efforts. Consequently, there’s a growing interest among researchers in developing and utilizing next-generation materials. Carbon-based materials have emerged as promising candidates due to their environmentally friendly nature, although their application presents both positive and negative aspects, as evidenced by existing literature. A diverse range of low-cost carbonaceous sorbents, like biochars, have been investigated for their suitability in water treatment. Given the substantial volume of agricultural waste biomass generated globally, the cost-effective production of these materials from residual biomass holds promise for addressing additional environmental challenges, such as biomass waste management. Various biochars derived from corn, hemp, and straw were studied to evaluate the adsorption potential for removing a commonly used organic UV filter 3-(4′-methylbenzylidene)-camphor (4-MBC). The adsorption isotherms obtained were well-described by the Freundlich model, with nonlinearity values below 0.9. Generally, all investigated adsorbents exhibited a higher affinity for 4-MBC, underscoring the importance of such research in identifying safe adsorbents for water remediation purposes. Moreover, this paper also tackles the interactions between 4-MBC and microplastics as polymer carbon-based materials, indicating the highest adsorption capacity of polyethylene terephthalate. Full article

Monitoring the solar ultraviolet index (UVI) is of great significance to protect human health. The monitoring of UVI faces several challenges: the accuracy is difficult to control, the complexity of the filter, the increase in volume and price, the decrease in response sensitivity, and the low accuracy of measurement. Considering the limitations and insufficiencies in the current technology, this paper proposes a miniature gallium nitride (GaN)-based erythema response detector. The detector utilizes a double-diode integrated chip for accurate detection of the erythema response, enabling it to closely match the spectral response of the erythema spectrum curve determined by the World Health Organization. This ensures precise correspondence between the output current and ultraviolet index. The measurement error of each UV detector is determined by analyzing eight sets of UV radiation spectra. The experimental findings demonstrate that the proposed detector exhibits a measurement error below 0.4 for each group of UV index measurements. The experimental results show that the measurement accuracy of the detector on the ultraviolet index is at the advanced level compared to the current mainstream commercial ultraviolet detector. Full article

Rutin, a flavonoid found in various plants, has gained attention for its potential applications in the cosmetic industry due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential photoprotective properties. Our review explored the use of rutin (rutoside, 3-O-rutinoside-quercetin) in cosmetics/dermocosmetics, focusing on its physicochemical properties and stability, cutaneous permeability, and efficacy in sunscreen systems, involving in vitro tests and the current state of clinical trials. Rutin’s ability to scavenge free radicals, prevent peroxidation, and reduce vascular fragility makes this flavonoid a promising ingredient for photoprotection. Studies have shown that rutin can enhance the sun protection factor (SPF) of sunscreen formulations, especially when combined with organic UV filters. The encapsulation of rutin in nanostructures has also been investigated to improve its applicability. Overall, rutin shows potential as a safe and effective ingredient in cosmetics/dermocosmetics, offering protection against the harmful effects of UV radiation and oxidative stress on the skin, as well as being a feasible strategy for developing environmentally friendly multifunctional sunscreens. Full article