Photostability of ferulic acid and its antioxidant activity against linoleic acid peroxidation

Ferulic acid (4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid), a phenyl-propenoid derivative of cinnamic acid, can undergo photolysis upon UV irradiation. The photodegradation kinetics of ferulic acid were thus investigated in different systems. The micellar solutions did not protect the acid from photodegradation. On the contrary, they catalyzed its degradation at a variable extent depending on the surfactant structure. The photodegradation of ferulic acid in microemulsions was slower than in micelles and near to that in water. TiO2, habitually employed as a physical sunscreen, showed photocatalytic action toward ferulic acid degradation especially at higher initial concentration of ferulic acid. The action of ferulic acid on the peroxidation of linoleic acid in micelles and microemulsions also was evaluated. When the ferulic acid is absent the peroxidation is continuous while when it is present an induction time of 40 minutes or higher was observed. Accordingly, it is likely that linoleic acid acts as photosensitizer for ferulic acid, and that in turn ferulic acid acts as an antioxidant for linoleic acid, reducing the rate of peroxidation.