BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE

The potential adverse effects, including systemic reactions, of some organic filters used in sunscreens have driven the search for alternatives. Brazilian green propolis, rich in polyphenols, shows promise in absorbing ultraviolet (UV) radiation and acting as an antioxidant in photoprotective formulations, allowing for a reduction in the concentration of organic filters while maintaining photoprotection efficacy. Oil-in-water emulsions were prepared containing chemical UV filters-ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane-with or without the addition of Brazilian green propolis extract at concentrations of 2.5 % and 5.0 % (w/w), along with a blank formulation as control. These formulations were assessed for antioxidant activity, photoprotective efficacy (in vitro and in vivo methods), photostability, inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the stratum corneum of human volunteers, and skin permeability. The addition of green propolis extract significantly enhanced both the antioxidant activity and sun protection factor (SPF) of the formulations without significant penetration, making it an excellent alternative to partially replace organic filters. In vitro photoprotective efficacy parameters met broad-spectrum sunscreen standards, providing good to excellent ultraviolet A (UVA) protection. However, the low photostability of the formulations limited the extract's ability to protect the stratum corneum from lipid peroxidation. Therefore, Brazilian green propolis serves as a promising adjuvant in sunscreen formulation, boosting efficacy while ensuring formulation safety.

A comprehensive review of existing toxicity and human exposure data for the ultraviolet filter avobenzone (butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) was conducted to assess its safety as currently used in over-the-counter sunscreen formulations. Avobenzone has a suitable safety profile without any clear markers of toxicity or endpoints of concern. There are sufficient clinical studies and in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies in animal models to assess avobenzone's pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and potential toxicological properties, supportive of its long history of safe use. No harmonized dermal absorption value was available, but the clinical data indicate low percutaneous absorption of avobenzone in humans (≤0.59% of the applied dose). There were no data to characterize the distribution of avobenzone; however, four tentative metabolites of avobenzone have been identified, and limited excretion in urine was demonstrated in human biomonitoring studies. Avobenzone generally did not cause dermal irritation or sensitization, but indications of photoallergy have been reported in clinical case studies. The acute toxicity profile indicated that avobenzone has minimal toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for general toxicity from a rat dietary subchronic toxicity study was 450 mg/kg/day. There was no evidence of avobenzone effects on immune tissues or the estrogen, androgen, or thyroid systems. Although there were no formal 2-year carcinogenicity studies for avobenzone, a 90-day dietary exposure study in rats did not show any increase in hyperplasia of any tissue or evidence of cytotoxicity, and avobenzone has not shown any indication of genotoxicity either in vitro or in vivo . Together, this indicates that key events for modes of action for avobenzone are absent and carcinogenicity in humans is unlikely. Based on the selected rat subchronic NOAEL and conservative assumptions for estimating the systemic exposure dose (SED) from the application of sunscreen products, margins of exposure (defined as the ratio of NOAEL to SED) greater than 100 were obtained for avobenzone. Therefore, the available data show that avobenzone is unlikely to pose a risk to human health when used in sunscreen products at concentrations up to the permitted maximum usage levels in the United States and Canada, which is 3%.

Understanding the processes that organic UV filters undergo in coastal and marine environments is crucial for assessing their long-term environmental risks. One key process is degradation by microorganisms in sediments. This study aimed to determine whether coastal marine sediments harbor microorganisms capable of degrading organic UV filters. Sediment from Toulon Harbor was tested for its degradation potential with respect to 12 different organic UV filters. Sediment microcosms showed degradation activity towards benzophenone-3 (BP3), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (ES), and homosalate (HS) after 12 days. However, no degradation was observed for butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), octocrylene (OC), diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), drometrizole trisiloxane (DTS), phenylene bis-diphenyltriazine (TriAsorB), bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), diethylhexyl butamido triazone (DBT), or ethylhexyl triazone (ET), even after 100 days of incubation. Two degrading strains were isolated from the microcosms: a Rhodococcus strain degrading ES and a Microbacterium strain capable of degrading HS. Despite substantial efforts, the microorganism thought to be responsible for BP3 degradation could not be isolated. This work demonstrates that microorganisms in coastal sediments can degrade a limited range of organic UV filters.

A few years ago, the 2-hydroxy-4´-methoxy dibenzoylmethane (DBM11) molecule was synthesized and studied as a replacement for avobenzone (AVB, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane) because of the latter's instability under UVA radiation. These studies, conducted in absolute ethanol with an estimated UV irradiance of 8,56 mW/cm 2 , demonstrated almost zero decomposition of DBM11. Thus, it is a promising candidate for use as a UVA chemical filter. However, further studies must be conducted to verify its photostability once formulated into an emulsion and to establish its toxicological profile. The first aim of this work was to scale up the synthesis of DBM11 to allow its formulation into an emulsion, which is required for the evaluation of its photostability under standardized UV irradiation conditions (close to ISO 24443), as required for sunscreen testing in the cosmetic industry. Additionally, in vitro phototoxicity assessments were conducted, with slight modifications to improve reproducibility, in accordance with OECD guidelines. These results demonstrate that DBM11 exhibits promising photostability and a favourable toxicological profile, making it a potential candidate for use as a UVA filter. Il y a quelques années, la molécule de 2‐hydroxy‐4’‐méthoxy dibenzoylméthane (DBM11) a été synthétisée et étudiée en remplacement de l’avobenzone (AVB, butylméthoxydibenzoylméthane), en raison de l’instabilité de ce dernier sous rayonnement UVA. Ces études, menées dans de l’éthanol absolu avec une irradiance UV estimée à 8,56 mW/cm 2 , ont démontré une décomposition quasi nulle du DBM11. Il s’agit donc d’un candidat prometteur pour une utilisation en tant que filtre chimique UVA. Cependant, d’autres études doivent être menées pour vérifier sa photostabilité une fois formulée dans une émulsion et pour établir son profil toxicologique. Le premier objectif de ce travail était d’augmenter la synthèse de DBM11 pour permettre sa formulation en émulsion, ce qui est nécessaire pour l’évaluation de sa photostabilité dans des conditions d’irradiation aux UV normalisées (proches de la norme ISO 24443), comme requis pour les tests de protection solaire dans l’industrie cosmétique. En outre, des évaluations de phototoxicité in vitro ont été réalisées, avec de légères modifications pour améliorer la reproductibilité, conformément aux directives de l’OCDE. Ces résultats démontrent que le DBM11 présente une photostabilité prometteuse et un profil toxicologique favorable, ce qui en fait un candidat potentiel pour une utilisation comme filtre UVA.

Sunscreen products, essential for photoprotection, introduce organic UV filters into aquatic environments, raising concerns about their ecotoxicological impacts. This study evaluates the sensitivity of seven marine microalgae species spanning diverse taxonomic groups to six organic UV filters (benzophenone-3, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl triazone, homosalate, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate, and octocrylene). Growth rate and chlorophyll a fluorescence were analyzed after 72 hr exposures at concentrations of 10, 100, and 1,000 µg/L. Growth rate was revealed to be the most sensitive indicator, with significant interspecies variability in response to UV filters. Results revealed that Tisochrysis lutea exhibited better sensitivity than the commonly used Phaeodactylum tricornutum, which demonstrated low sensitivity across endpoints. Among UV filters, 2-ethylhexyl salicylate and homosalate were the most toxic, significantly affecting growth and fluorescence in multiple species. Interestingly, growth inhibition often coincided with increased fluorescence, suggesting species-specific compensatory mechanisms. These findings underscore the limitations of relying solely on P. tricornutum in standardized toxicity tests and advocate for the inclusion of sensitive species to improve ecological relevance. Integrating growth and fluorescence metrics in high-throughput assays could advance risk assessment methodologies for emerging contaminants like UV filters.

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of seven organic ultraviolet filters (OUVFs), namely benzophenone-3 (BP3), 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4MBC), octocrylene (OC), ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC), isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate (IAMC), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM), and homosalate (HMS), in Polish freshwater ecosystems, providing novel insights into their seasonal variability and ecological risks. Water samples from three recreational lakes and a reference reservoir were collected in April and July from both surface and water column layers were analysed to quantify OUVFs concentrations and calculate aquatic risk quotients (RQs). Our results revealed a clear seasonal pattern, with significantly higher OUVF concentrations in July, particularly at Kryspinów reservoir, coinciding with peak tourist activity. IAMC, HMS, and BMDBM were the main contributors to moderate cumulative risk values with localized high-risk values at Kryspinów, while the reference site exhibited consistently low contamination and negligible risks. This study not only establishes a baseline for OUVF contamination in Central European recreational waters but also demonstrates the utility of a multi-depth sampling approach in assessing pollution dynamics. The findings contribute to the growing understanding of emerging contaminants in freshwater ecosystems and underline the need for enhanced environmental monitoring and regulatory measures.

In recent years, concerns regarding the toxicity of organic UV filters in sunscreen products have increased. While sunscreen products contain multiple UV filters in combination, current understanding on their co-occurrence patterns and mixture toxicities is still limited. This study utilized a public database, "Hwahae", and analyzed 2183 sunscreen products marketed in South Korea as of 2019, using an association rule mining (ARM) to elucidate their co-occurrence patterns. We identified twenty-two UV filters in the sunscreen products, with titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) being the most prevalent (68 %), followed by ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate (EHMC, 60 %) and ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS, 49 %). Sunscreen products typically contained a median of five UV filters per product. Usage patterns of UV filter mixtures varied by the target user group of the product, i.e., general, susceptible, and male users. EHMC and EHS were commonly combined in most products, except those marketed for susceptible users. For susceptible users, inorganic UV filters such as TiO 2 and zinc oxide (ZnO) were dominantly used. Combinations of UV filters that provide protection against different types of UV light, e.g., butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) for UVA, and octocrylene (OCT), EHS, or homosalate (HS) for UVB, were also frequently used together, with high lift values. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that ARM approach can be useful to identify major combinations of UV filters present in sunscreen products, and prioritize the UV filter combinations requiring safety assessment and regulatory attention.

The heightened susceptibility to skin cancer correlates with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can induce various cutaneous injuries. Inorganic UV filters, like zinc oxide (ZnO), are extensively utilized in sunscreens owing to their capacity to scatter and reflect UV radiation. The efficacy of inorganic UV filters can be augmented across a wider spectrum through synergistic combinations with other active compounds, such as organic UV filters. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated the in vitro effectiveness of star-shaped ZnO nanoaggregates. The samples were obtained employing a simple and greener precipitation method in an aqueous solution. The synthesized ZnO nanoaggregates were characterized through X-ray diffraction, UV/Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The characterization suggests the aggregation of nanocrystals, with hexagonal wurtzite geometry, enabling the formation of star-shaped particles. The irregular (non-flat) surface and high surface area combined with light absorption in the UVA region make the material susceptible to the application of sun protection. Sunscreens formulated with the synthesized ZnO ng in conjunction with ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate (EHMC) and/or butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMDBM) were evaluated for in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) and critical wavelength (cλ) using diffuse reflectance spectrophotometry with an integrated sphere. Photostability assessments were also conducted using artificial UV radiation. Sunscreen formulations containing ZnO ng in combination with EHMC and BMDBM exhibited a substantial increase in in vitro SPF, approximately 990 % (from SPF 26 to 285). Furthermore, the synthesized ZnO ng demonstrated higher in vitro efficacy compared to commercial ZnO active ingredients. Although all samples experienced reductions in SPF values during the photostability assay, ZnO ng  + EHMC + BMDBM retained a broad-spectrum profile (SPF > 15 and cλ > 370 nm). Based on the distinctive properties and in vitro performance of star-shaped ZnO ng , we propose that this synthesized inorganic UV filter could serve as an alternative for enhancing the SPF of sunscreen systems while reducing the concentrations of organic UV filters.

Today, UV filters are found as contaminants in a variety of biological fluids and environment, e.g. in vegetable crops and surface water. This is because UV filters are widely used in everyday products. In this context, we focused this study on cosmetic products, in order to assess the importance of this source of contamination. The study of 742 cosmetic products, excluding actual sunscreen products, but including hygiene, personal care and make-up products and perfumes revealed that the most common UV filters present are butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (90 products or 12.1% of products tested), octyl methoxycinnamate (75 products or 10.1% of products tested), octocrylene (62 products or 8.3% of products tested), octyl salicylate (43 products or 5.8% of products tested) and titanium dioxide (33 products or 4.4% of products tested). Very few UV filters are found in the hygiene products (only in 12 shampoos/conditioners and in 2 shower gels) and deodorants and toothpastes are completely free of them. Conversely, make-up and perfumes are frequently formulated with at least one UV filter. Seventy-five of the two hundred and forty-four (or 30.7%) skincare products studied contained at least one UV filter. 49.1 of the makeup products studied and 74.3% of perfumes contained it.

Organic UV filters are important ingredients in many personal care products, including sunscreens. Evaluating the biodegradability of organic UV filters is key to estimate their recalcitrance and environmental fate and thus central to their overall environmental risk assessment. In order to further understand the degradation process, the aim was to investigate whether specific consortia could degrade certain UV filters. Several bacterial strains were isolated from enrichment cultures actively degrading octocrylene (OC), butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (BM), homosalate (HS), and 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (ES) and were utilized to construct an in-house consortium. This synthetic consortium contained 27 bacterial strains and degraded OC, BM, HS, and ES 60-80% after 12 days, but not benzophenone-3 (BP3), methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol (MBBT), diethylhexyl butamido triazone (DBT), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), or diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB). Furthermore, several commercial microbial mixtures from Greencell were tested to assess their degradation activity toward the same organic UV filters. ES and HS were degraded by some of the commercial consortia, but to a lesser extent. The rest of the tested UV filters were not degraded by any of the commercial bacterial mixes. These results confirm that some organic UV filters are recalcitrant to biodegradation, while others are degraded by a specific set of microorganisms.

This research investigated plant extracts as a source of potential new actives in the nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical fields. Moringa oleifera, which is extensively known for its nutritional properties, has been investigated in this work by preparation, characterization, and evaluation of the antioxidant (FRAP, DPPH, ORAC, and PCL test), antifungal, photoprotective, and cytotoxicity profile against human melanoma Colo38 cell line of two different extracts (hydroalcoholic and methanolic) and one infusion of dry leaves collected from Paraguay in four distinct harvest times (February, March, April, and May 2017). The outcomes of this study highlight Moringa oleifera as a potential ally to counteract skin aging and oxidative stress, as indicated by the favorable antioxidant profile of the extracts and infusions of Paraguay, which was, in all cases, superior to that provided by the same plant species when collected from Senegal. Moreover, some samples were more efficient in preventing the photodegradation of UVA filter butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane (Avobenzone) compared to commercial filters, thus suggesting an interesting future role as natural additives in sunscreens.

Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PCPPs) were recently recognized as emerging pollutants due to their potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. One potential route of exposure, atmospheric particulate matter (APM), for polar PPCP chemicals has to date received limited attention. This study screened for 190 polar PPCP chemicals in outdoor APM samples collected from two locations in Hanoi, Vietnam, and predictions of source and potential effects on human health are presented. Day and night, as well as dry and rainy seasonal samples, were taken, and samples screened by LC-TOF, using sequential window acquisition and all theoretical fragment ion spectra method. Eleven PPCP chemicals were detected above the LOD and in more than one sample. The ∑11PPCP chemicals ranged from 0.61 to 21.9 ng m -3 (median 2.07 ng m -3 ), with between 2 and 6 compounds identified in individual samples (median 4). The ∑11PPCP chemicals collected near a heavy traffic area was greater than that in a populated residential zone. Night concentrations were significantly greater than day in both dry and rainy seasons (p < 0.05). Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, benzophenone-3, acetaminophen, cotinine, and fluorescent brightener 71 were detected in > 50% of samples. These are typically found in sunscreens, cosmetics, antipyretics, tobacco, and dyes. The DI air , hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI) for adults and children at sampling sites were estimated. The HQ for both adults and children were orders of magnitude less than the risk or were close to or whichever. APM does appear to be a potential additional secondary exposure source of PPCP chemicals to the environment and more work is needed to identify if sources are local or ubiquitous and if there is a greater health risk.