Chemiluminescence from UVA–exposed skin: Separating photo-induced chemiluminescence from photophysical light emission

Several previous studies have reported luminescence emission from skin following exposure to UVA radiation in air. We show that UVA irradiation of biomaterials and polymers in oxygen, including bovine stratum corneum, followed by photon counting results in a complex emission due to a combination of photophysical processes together with photo-induced chemiluminescence (PICL). The photophysical processes include fluorescence, phosphorescence and charge-recombination luminescence. By irradiating materials in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen and allowing photophysical light emission to fully decay before admitting oxygen, the weak photo-induced chemiluminescence generated via free radical reactions with oxygen can be separated and analysed. PICL emission from bovine stratum corneum is weaker than for wool keratin and bovine skin collagen, probably due to its higher water content, and the presence of the natural antioxidants ascorbate and tocopherol.

► Weak luminescence from UVA-irradiated biomaterials in air is a composite emission.
► The emission includes photophysical processes and chemiluminescence (PICL).
► Photo-induced chemiluminescence can be separated using an experimental protocol.
► PICL emission from bovine stratum corneum is reported for the first time.
► PICL from stratum corneum is weaker than keratin and collagen proteins.