Ferulic acid-tryptophan co-functionalized mesoporous with synergistic multi-radical scavenging activity and enhanced stability

A novel ferulic acid-tryptophan single-bridge-linked organosilicon precursor (FA-Trp-OSP) was synthesized via a multi-step reaction. • A ferulic acid-tryptophan bridged periodic mesoporous organosilica (FA-Trp-PMS) was synthesized via a sol-gel strategy for the first time. • The incorporation of dual antioxidant functional groups significantly enhances the radical scavenging performance, showing efficient and selective activity toward ABTS.• + , •OH and O 2 • - radicals. • A synergistic antioxidant mechanism based on hydrogen atom transfer and electron transfer pathways is proposed. Oxidative stress caused by excessive free radicals is a major contributor to various diseases. To develop novel antioxidant, a ferulic acid-tryptophan organosilane precursor (FA-Trp-OSP) was synthesized through a multi-step organic synthesis process. Subsequently, it was co-condensed with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to fabricate a functionalized mesoporous silica material (FA-Trp-PMS). An optimal precursor loading of 30% maintained a well-ordered mesoporous structure while maximizing the density of functional groups. FA-Trp-PMS displayed superior radical scavenging activity against ABTS• + , •OH, and O 2 • - , attaining scavenging rates of 82%, 92%, and 49% at concentrations of 1.5, 2.0, and 5.0 mg/mL, respectively. The material significantly outperformed the corresponding single-component systems and physical mixture system, exhibiting enhanced antioxidant performance that may be associated with cooperative interactions between ferulic acid and tryptophan functionalities. FA-Trp-PMS also exhibited rapid kinetics (reaching equilibrium within 3-10 min) and good stability over a temperature range of 5-40 °C and within the investigated pH range. This work provides a promising strategy for the development of high-performance antioxidant materials with multi-radical scavenging activity and good environmental stability for applications in food preservation, cosmetic stabilization, and biomedicine. Download: Download high-res image (271KB) Download: Download full-size image