Miss Grace Broadberry

Research project: Synthesis of novel aprotic peroxides and their photochemical reactions for the management of oxidative stress in skin

Abstract

Antioxidants such as tocopherol, ascorbic acid and resveratrol are essential compounds in the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Photocatalytic antioxidants such as tocopherol, produce a stable benign organic radical, a proton and an electron when exposed to UV. This free electron has the potential to induce radical propagation reactions which can lead to skin inflammation.

The stable organic radical produced is what gives tocopherol its effective antioxidant properties. It would therefore be very beneficial to create antioxidant compounds which, when exposed to UV, produce two stable benign organic radicals and no free electron. This would prevent the propagation of ROS and skin inflammation.

This project is focused on producing a library of phenoxyl peroxide based dimers and the study of their photochemical reactions. We will investigate their resulting antioxidant properties and conduct toxicology studies.