Elucidating nuclear motions in a plant sunscreen during photoisomerization through solvent viscosity effects.

We explore the effects of solvent viscosity on the trans-cis photoisomerization of sinapoyl malate, which is utilized as a sunscreen molecule in plants. Our results demonstrate that viscosity has a significant effect on the timescale for isomerization, providing insight into the nuclear motions involved. The ramifications of these findings are discussed with reference to sinapoyl malate's in vivo photoprotection properties.

Diethyl sinapate-grafted cellulose nanocrystals as nature-inspired UV filters in cosmetic formulations.

Inspired by nature's photoprotection mechanisms, we report an effective UV-blocking nanomaterial based on diethyl sinapate-grafted cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-DES). The colloidal stability and UV-blocking performance of CNC-DES in aqueous glycerol (a common humectant in petroleum-free cosmetic formulations) and in a commercially available moisturizing cream were studied. Grafting the water-insoluble DES onto CNCs renders it dispersible in these water-based formulations, thanks to the excellent water-dispersibility of CNC nanoparticles. Glycerol dispersions containing 0.1 to 1.5 wt% CNC-DES display very high UV-blocking activity owing to the anti-UV DES moieties anchored onto CNCs. A facial cream blended with 1.5 wt% CNC-DES exhibits an SPF of 5.03, which is higher than a commercially available sunscreen with the same active ingredient concentration (SPF = 3.84). DPPH radical scavenging assay also showed the antioxidant potential of CNC-DES, albeit coinciding with a significant reduction in antioxidant activity after grafting DES onto CNCs. Cytotoxicity measurements revealed the CNC-DES not to cause significant cytotoxicity to murine fibroblast cells after 24 h of exposure. Overall, CNC-DES exhibits strong anti-UV and antioxidant properties and is water-dispersible, biocompatible, non-greasy, and lightweight. This study demonstrates the exceptional potential of DES-grafted CNCs as nature-inspired UV filters in the next generation of cosmetic formulations, including those for sensitive skins.

Investigating isomer specific photoprotection in a model plant sunscreen.

Sinapate esters are used throughout the plant kingdom, for example in photoprotection from ultraviolet radiation. Sinapate esters are naturally produced in their E-isomeric form; however, upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation, photoisomerization drives Z-isomer formation. To elucidate the photoprotection capacity of E vs. Z forms of sinapate esters, we explore the photochemistry of the model system, Z-ethyl sinapate. Following a novel Z-ethyl sinapate synthesis, we demonstrate that photoprotection is isomer independent. This suggests that, regarding photoprotection, there were no evolutionary pressures for biosynthesis of either isomer.

Diversity of Lactobacillus reuteri Strains in Converting Glycerol into 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid.

The present study aims at comparing the performances of three Lactobacillus reuteri strains (DSM 20016, DSM 17938, and ATCC 53608) in producing 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP) from glycerol and at exploring inhibition phenomena during this bioconversion. Differences were highlighted between the three strains in terms of 3-HP production yield, kinetics of substrate consumption, and metabolite production. With a maximal productivity in non-optimal conditions (free pH) around 2 g.L(-1).h(-1) of 3-HP and 4 g.L(-1).h(-1) of 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde (3-HPA) depending on the strain, this study confirmed the potential of L. reuteri for the biotechnological production of 3-HP. Moreover, the molar ratios of 3-HP to 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) obtained for the three strains (comprised between 1.25 and 1.65) showed systematically a higher 3-HP production. From these results, the DSM 17938 strain appeared to be the most promising strain. The impact of glycerol bioconversion on the bacteria's physiological state (a decrease of around 40 % in DSM 17938 cells showing an enzymatic activity after 3 h) and survival (total loss of cultivability after 2 or 3 h depending on the strains) was revealed and discussed. The effect of each metabolite on L. reuteri DSM 17938 was further investigated, displaying a drastic inhibition caused by 3-HPA, while 3-HP induced lower impact and only at acidic pH.

Highly diastereoselective 5-hexenyl radical cyclizations with Lewis acids and carbohydrate scaffolds.

[figure: see text] Carbohydrates as removable chiral scaffolds for free radical cyclizations were examined for the first time. This investigation illustrates the utility of two inexpensive carbohydrate derivatives as sources of asymmetry for 5-hexenyl radical cyclizations. Diastereomeric ratios as high as 100:1 were achieved with an ester-appended (+)-isosorbide hexose and 70:1 for a diol-protected D-xylose pentose. Temperature dependence, Lewis acids, and solvents were all examined. By correlation with known compounds, the newly generated chiral centers were of the (S)-configuration.