Uso no-convencional del mucílago de avena en fotoprotección

In this work, some spectral characteristics of oat mucilage were studied to obtain a deep and detailed knowledge about the possible application of this material in the absorption of dangerous ultraviolet radiation for human skin. For this purpose, the mucilage of oat was extracted and purified by adapting a previously reported method. Then, several aqueous solutions with different known concentrations of this extract were prepared. These solutions were analyzed with a spectrophotometer to determine their absorbance between 200 and 1000 nm. Through the absorbance spectra, the photoprotective capacity of the mucilage of oat in aqueous solution was evaluated. The extinction coefficient of this material was also calculated through spectrophotometric measurements and the Lambert-Beer Law. In addition, a cream with natural ingredients and oat mucilage as active compound was prepared to evaluate its sun protection factor and compare it with that of the aqueous mucilage. Finally, the feasibility of using the mucilage of oat as active ingredient in effective and safe sunscreens for people and the environment was analyzed.