Abstract

The synthesis of 4-methoxycinnamoylglycerol takes advantage of the biodiesel subproduct for obtaining a hydrophilic UV cinnamate derivate fi lter, useful in sunscreen formulations. The objective here was to demonstrate that esterifi cation of 4-methoxycinnamic acid and glycerol mediated by immobilized-lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus is selective towards 4-methoxycinnamoylglycerol monoester UV fi lter, whose chemical characteristics favor the nanoparticles formation by ionotropic gelation on N-Succinyl chitosan. A cinnamic acid conversion 34% in hexane is higher than in other reports, without the presence of other sub-products or degradation products. This eases the purifi cation process by liquidliquid extraction. The free glyceryl entities favour its incorporation on N-Succinyl chitosan nanoparticles with size around 185±77nm, which are promissory for sunblock products.