First Extraction

In order to separate the curcumin from the turmeric powder, an extraction process was used where the dehydrated alcohol was the solvent and the turmeric powder was the solute.

Extraction of Curcumin Process.

-Hadeel Darweesh
05/23/19

Testing Self Made Methyl Stearate

The Testing of  Methyl Stearate includes checking the product under infrared along with recording its melting point.

The infrared results of the laboratory made Methyl Stearate must be compared with the infrared results   of stearic acid and commercial grade methyl stearate

The process was started by making three different test solution samples:

1. Solution of stearic acid and dichloromethane  
2. Solution of commercial grade methyl stearate
3. Solution of self made methyl stearate

                                                          

*Picture of researcher using the                                                          *Picture of Researcher preparing the infrared instrument.*                                                                             compounds to be tested.*

- Hadassah Haricha
05/22/19

Types of UV Radiation: Our Objective

There are three types of ultraviolet radiation.

• UVC: The germicidal region, from 200-290 nm.
• UVB: The erythmal region, from 290-320 nm, responsible for sunburns.
• UVA: The 'tanning' region, from 320-400 nm, responsible for accelerated aging of the skin. 

UVA radiation is considered the most dangerous for several reasons.  Most ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth's surface is UVA.  Most photo sensitivity is caused by UVA.  Also, UVA radiation can pass through some glass and plastic while UVB generally cannot.  UVA is also the type of ultraviolet radiation responsible for loss of skin elasticity, which causes the aforementioned accelerated aging of the skin.

Our research will focus on blocking UVA and UVB using sunscreen that will be made from zinc oxide and curcumin.

-Alexandra Griffith

05/21/19

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