- Title: Scientists find sunscreen potential in Antarctic plants
- Date: 26th July 2017
- Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (JULY 25, 2017) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTIAGO DOCTOR GUSTAVO ZUNIGA ENTERING MOLECULAR LABORATORY IN THE CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SANTIAGO VARIOUS OF ZUNIGA LOOKING AT ANTARCTIC PLANT SPECIMENS BEING USED IN EXPERIMENTS FOR SUNSCREEN (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LEADER OF PROJECT TO IDENTIFY ANTARCTIC PLANTS THAT COULD BE USED IN SUNSCREEN, DR. GUSTAVO ZUNIGA, SAYING: "We are deriving [information] from a project to study the effect of the environment on plants, particularly ultraviolet radiation. We have already done studies for more than 10 years, both in Antarctica and in the laboratory, and we have found that both species are tolerant of ultraviolet radiation. That is, we have not been able to detect significant damage even when the levels of radiation are high."
- Embargoed: 9th August 2017 17:51
- Keywords: Dr. Gustavo Zuniga sunscreen Antarctic flowers solar radiation
- Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE AND CHILEAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
- City: SANTIAGO, CHILE AND CHILEAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY
- Country: Chile
- Topics: Human Interest / Brights / Odd News,Science
- Reuters ID: LVA0016RCRT4Z
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Scientists in Chile have discovered molecules in two species of Antarctic flowers that protect the plants from solar radiation and could potentially be used in products such as sunscreen for humans and protection for vulnerable crops.
Researchers at the University of Santiago investigating the properties of Antarctic plants grown under controlled conditions found that Colobanthus quitensis (pearlwort) and Deschampsia antarctica (hair grass) could tolerate high levels of ultraviolet radiation.
According to the British Antarctic Survey, these are the only two flowering plants found in the icy polar region, growing around its more temperate edges. But climate change and melting ice are increasing their range, the Chilean researchers said.
The scientists have identified a group of molecules in the flowers, particularly Colobanthus that acts as a solar filter and prevents radiation damage, said project leader Gustavo Zuniga.
The university is seeking commercial partners to develop spin-off products from the research, he said.
Natural sunscreens or creams could also be developed incorporating the molecules to protect human skin from damage from ultraviolet radiation, he added. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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