One important family of UV absorber molecules are derived from aromatic compounds known as phenols, which contain a hydrogen-bonded hydroxyl group that plays an important role in the dissipation of the absorbed energy.įor example, an organic compound known as oxybenzone is a common ingredient that has also been added to plastics to limit UV degradation. Ideal organic UV filters display a high UV absorption of UVA rays (in the region ranging from 315–400 nm) and UVB rays (280–315 nm). To mitigate UV damage, both organic and inorganic compounds are used as UV filters. UV rays are damaging to most materials, with its effects leading to the discoloration of dyes and pigments, weathering, yellowing of plastics, loss of gloss and mechanical properties, while it can lead to sunburn, premature aging and even the development of potentially lethal melanomas in both humans and animals.
By using cashew nut shells, the team has produced new aromatic compounds that have good UV-protective properties. Wits Chemists have found a way to turn wasted cashew nut shells into a compound that filters out harmful rays from the sun, using a process called xylochemistryĪ team of organic chemists from the University of the Witwatersrand, along with colleagues from Universities in Germany, Malawi and Tanzania, are working on techniques to produce useful compounds from wood and other fast growing non-edible plant waste, through a chemical process named xylochemistry (wood chemistry).
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