Study Reveals Plants' Natural Sunscreen

A new study conducted by scientists from Purdue University examined the properties and mechanics of molecule that plants use to absorb harmful ultraviolet-B radiation. The team studied molecules from a group called sinapate esters, known to be involved in protecting plants from UV-B light that can damage DNA and plant tissues.

Timothy Zwier, Purdue University's M.G. Mellon Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, who led the study, said "This molecule is a fantastic sunscreen and can absorb a remarkably broad spectrum of UV-B light – the entire spectrum." He added that it is also incredibly good at soaking up those rays, with each molecule capturing an impressive amount of UV-B light.

Clint Chapple, a biochemistry professor at Purdue University discovered that sinapate esters act as plant sunscreen. Zwier's team used laser-based methods to record the spectrum of light absorbed by the molecules, and they were especially interested in the molecule sinapoyl malate, thought to be the major source of protection from the sun. The research team found sinapoyl malate's absorption efficiency was one of the highest that can be achieved at a strength of 0.65, where 1.0 is the highest value possible.

For more details about this research, read the news release at: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/releases/2014/Q4/study-gets-to-the-roots-of-plants-natural-sunscreen.html.