A New Approach of Synthesizing Ferulate Ester, a Sunscreen Agent Via Lipase-Catalyzed Reaction

• Main Authors: L. Noor Jaini Latif, F. Humairah, M.R. Salina, M.N. Hanina
• Format: Conference Paper
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Ferulate ester > Sunscreen agent > Lipase-Catalyzed reaction
• Online Access: http://ddms.usim.edu.my/handle/123456789/6108

A new approach of synthesizing ferulate ester, a sunscreen agent was successfully developed via lipase-catalyzed reaction. Ferulic acid, a naturally occurring compound in plant was found to act as UV-absorber which can be applied in the cosmetic product. However, a low solubility in both aqueous and organic phases has restricted its application. Therefore, a study has to be embarked in order to modify their physical and chemical properties by enzymatic synthesis. In this study, ferulate ester was synthesized via two different stages are esterifition of ferulic acid with hexanol and transesterification of hexyl ferulate with olive oil. As a preliminary study, only two parameters were chosen to be optimized via conventional method of varying one parameter at-a-time approach. They are effect of reaction time and reaction temperature. A study showed that the optimum condition to produce ferulate ester was reaction time (RT); 8h and temperature (T); 60°C. The product was then characterized for their chemical and physical properties such as iodine value, saponification value and color analysis. Finally, the product was subjected to analyze by using Fourier-transform infrared (RIR) spectrometer to determine the presence of ester group in the product obtained.