The present work reports on a sustainable hybrid pigment obtained from a combination of melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) from the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from the sea squirt Pyura chilensis. The characterization of the cellulose nanofiber–melanin nanoparticle (CNF-MNP) hybrid was carried out by FTIR, XRD, DLS, FESEM and EDS analyses confirming that the two sources had been successfully combined, with some degree of crystalline disruption of cellulose. DLS characterisation of the hybrid showed its uniform hydrodynamic size around ~300 nm. UV–Vis spectroscopy illustrated its good and stable absorbance in the 200–400 nm region, indicating an efficient capacity for blocking ultraviolet radiation. When added to an emulsion formulation at 0.5 % (w/v) dosage, the CNF-MNP hybrid produced a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 26.6 ± 2.6, compared to formulations containing only CNFs (SPF 12.9 ± 1.2) or MNP (SPF 13.7 ± 1.3), or to the blank base (SPF 5.7 ± 0.6). Moreover, the CNF-MNP hybrid demonstrated a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity by DPPH assay (31.2 % inhibition at 1 mg mL 1), suggesting a free radical scavenging potential and a synergistic effect of CNFs and MNPs. Finally, cytotoxicity tests, using MTT assay on Hu02 and Vero cells, indicated that the CNF-MNP hybrid is highly biocompatible at low concentrations (>90 % cell viability at 1 μg mL 1) and >50 % cell viability at 1 mg mL 1. In summary, the proposed CNF-MNP hybrid represents a novel sustainable and multifunctional material thet can be effectively applied as sunscreen product, providing UV protection ability and antioxidant properties, and can be considered a promising future candidate for bio-based cosmetic products.
Green pigment hybrid of natural melanin and cellulose nanofibers for sustainable UV-shielding and antioxidant activity
Vianello F.Supervision
2026
Abstract
The present work reports on a sustainable hybrid pigment obtained from a combination of melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) from the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from the sea squirt Pyura chilensis. The characterization of the cellulose nanofiber–melanin nanoparticle (CNF-MNP) hybrid was carried out by FTIR, XRD, DLS, FESEM and EDS analyses confirming that the two sources had been successfully combined, with some degree of crystalline disruption of cellulose. DLS characterisation of the hybrid showed its uniform hydrodynamic size around ~300 nm. UV–Vis spectroscopy illustrated its good and stable absorbance in the 200–400 nm region, indicating an efficient capacity for blocking ultraviolet radiation. When added to an emulsion formulation at 0.5 % (w/v) dosage, the CNF-MNP hybrid produced a high Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 26.6 ± 2.6, compared to formulations containing only CNFs (SPF 12.9 ± 1.2) or MNP (SPF 13.7 ± 1.3), or to the blank base (SPF 5.7 ± 0.6). Moreover, the CNF-MNP hybrid demonstrated a concentration-dependent antioxidant activity by DPPH assay (31.2 % inhibition at 1 mg mL 1), suggesting a free radical scavenging potential and a synergistic effect of CNFs and MNPs. Finally, cytotoxicity tests, using MTT assay on Hu02 and Vero cells, indicated that the CNF-MNP hybrid is highly biocompatible at low concentrations (>90 % cell viability at 1 μg mL 1) and >50 % cell viability at 1 mg mL 1. In summary, the proposed CNF-MNP hybrid represents a novel sustainable and multifunctional material thet can be effectively applied as sunscreen product, providing UV protection ability and antioxidant properties, and can be considered a promising future candidate for bio-based cosmetic products.
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