Watermelon-based Sunscreen Blocks UVA and UVB Light

The pigment lycopene has been demonstrated to prevent DNA damage in skin cells.  The US Food and Drug Administration monitors sunscreen products and has approved only five compounds as effective blocking agents against UVA and UVB light induced damage in skin.  Unfortunately, these compounds have also been found to negatively affect coral reef health.  The focus of this experiment was to determine if semi purified watermelon lycopene could be used as an alternative to synthetic-based sunscreens.  Watermelon from high pressure pasteurized juice was centrifuged and resulting pellets mixed with a cream base at 20% w/w.  Cream base, watermelon sunscreen, and commercial sunscreens were tested using a light sensitive paper in daylight with recorded UVA and UVB intensities to determine relative SPF levels.  A rating of 32 SPF for both UVA and UVB for the watermelon sunscreen was done using a commercial lab with testing on skin.  Results indicate that watermelon provides compounds useful in blocking UVA and UVB light damage to skin and that a simple and inexpensive system can be used as a screening system to predict relative sun blocking ability.