Enhancement of the Adsorbed Amount of Ferulic Acid on Mesoporous Silica for Use as an Ultraviolet Radiation Absorber in Cosmetics

Abstract

To increase the amount of ferulic acid adsorbed on a ferulic acid-silica composite, which is expected to be applied as a UV-protection material, a method for preparing the composite by using an anti-solvent precipitation method was investigated. Mesoporous silica was dispersed in a 50% ethanol solution of ferulic acid, and water was added as the poor solvent; the resultant adsorption amount was five times higher with water added. The diffuse reflectance spectrum of the prepared ferulic acid-mesoporous silica composite only showed the absorption of ultraviolet light and no absorption of visible light. This confirmed that ferulic acid was adsorbed into the pores of the powder, and not on its surface.