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TITLE

Process to obtain a sunscreen material from cod fish bones, a by-product of fish industry
Iron oxide/hydroxyapatite-based sunscreen derived from cod fish bones

HIGHLIGHTS

Atlantic cod fish (Gadus morhua) is the most consumed fish in Portugal (estimated consume: 60,000
tonnes per year). This produces large amounts of fish bones, a by-product of this industry, which are
generally used to make fish flour.
It could be worth valorizing this by-product by extracting compounds with valuable properties, technologic
applications and/or higher market value.

CONTEXT

As mentioned above, the majority of fish bones are used to make fish flour. Bones main component,
however, is hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2), a calcium phosphate with high biocompatibility.
Synthetic HAp is used to fabricate materials for bone replacement and/or dental implants. HAp can also
be used for environment remediation.
As HAp is a non-toxic material, other properties and applications are also being explored. With the
introduction of specific elements (i.e. iron) into its structure, HAp can absorb UV light and, potentially,
could be used as sunscreen.
UV-ABSORBING PRODUCTS CAN BE PREPARED USING COD FISH BONES AS STARTING MATERIALS; THEY ARE MADE OF HAP, IRON
OXIDE A MIXED CALCIUM-IRON PHOSPHATE.

BENEFITS

The obtainment of products with high added value from cod fish bone can be beneficial for the food
industry and the economy in general, as these products can generate a much higher income.
The products can have important health implications, as sunscreens are one of the most effective ways of
reducing UV exposure, dangerous for human skin. The prevention of the skin diseases can have further
economic implications, for the reduction of the cost of the treatment.
Moreover, the use of new harmless sunscreens will be beneficial for the environment, as the currently
used products are accumulating in the environment (i.e. high titanium oxide concentrations reported in
coastal waters).
The production of the sunscreen, which at present has been performed only at lab scale, is based on
simple steps, such as treatment of the bones in solution, calcination at high temperatures, etc. Therefore,
the process can be easily scaled up.

PROOF OF CONCEPT

The material obtained from cod fish bones is a powder with reddish colour.
When tested, it showed the following properties:
Absorption in the whole UV range this means that the material can be used for protection from
both UVA and UVB rays (320-400 nm e 290-320 nm respectively). A material with these absorbing
characteristics can be classified with the maximum 5 star rating in the Boots scale.
No photoactivity differently from other commercial sunscreens (i.e. titanium or zinc oxide), this
products does NOT generate radicals under light irradiation. This potentially indicates a safer and
less harmful product both for humans and for the environment.
Stability under light irradiation the UV absorbing properties of the powder do NOT change after
light irradiation. This is an essential property for a sunscreen.
The powder was incorporated into a cream, which was then tested. The results showed that:
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UV absorption the cream has the same good UV absorption of the powder itself, and it can still
be classified as 5 star protector. This means the inclusion into a emulsion does not compromise
the UV absorption properties.
No skin problems the cream does not cause irritation / erythema to the skin of healthy people.

POTENCIAL COMMERCIAL USE /APPLICATIONS

The material obtained with this process is an effective way to valorise cod fish waste.
The powder obtained from the bones can be used as sunscreen and employed in different areas, such as
cosmetic, medicine, textile industry (development of UV-protecting clothes).

INVENTORS AND RESEARCH UNIT

Manuela Pintado, Clara Piccirillo, Paula Castro

CBQF-Universidade Catlica Portuguesa

COOPERATION OPTIONS

Licensing agreement.
Product development (pre-clinical animal studies and clinical trials in humans).
Research Partnership.

PATENT STATUS

PT Provisional Patent N 107747

PCT/IB2015/055001 (EPO, USA)

CONTACTS EMAIL TELEPHONE

Manuela Pintado mpintado@porto.ucp.pt
Eduardo Cardoso ecardoso@porto.ucp.pt