Mycosporine-like amino acids: Algal metabolites shaping the safety and sustainability profiles of commercial sunscreens

Differential Responses to UV-A Stress Recorded in Carotenogenic Microalgae Haematococcus rubicundus, Bracteacoccus aggregatus, and Deasonia sp.

“…Most likely, absorbance at this wavelength together with shape of the spectra could be attributed to the accumulation of MAA. These compounds, widely distributed among microalgae, are well-known as efficient screening agents [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Their protective role, especially against UV, has been shown in vivo [ 4 , 18 , 64 ].…”

“…UV-B quanta are absorbed by aromatic rings, S-S bonds, and peptide bonds of biomolecules. UV-B induces damage to nucleic acids and proteins, facilitates the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of photosensitizers [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. Despite a larger proportion of UV-A in solar spectrum, molecular basis of its effect on phototrophic cell are less elucidated [ 1 ].…”

“…Protection of a photosynthetic cell against UV damage includes enzymatic systems for DNA reparation, chemical reaction of glutathione and ascorbate toward ROS neutralization, non-photochemical quenching of the excited Chl states, optic shielding by sunscreens such as phenolics, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and carotenoids [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Particularly, photolyases are activated by radiation in the range of 370–450 nm [ 2 ].…”

“…Particularly, photolyases are activated by radiation in the range of 370–450 nm [ 2 ]. MAAs and carotenoids absorb radiation in the UV-A region of the spectra [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. UV-A-protective mechanisms also include oligomerization of PSII RC and LHCII [ 10 ].…”

“…Some data were obtained with the help of studies of thermoluminescence [ 9 ] and low-temperature fluorescence spectra [ 10 ], electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy [ 14 ], D1 protein immunoblotting [ 14 ], analysis of expression of genes of UV response [ 21 , 25 ], etc. HPLC or HPLC-MS are applied for separation and identification of secondary metabolites and phytohormones in response to UV [ 2 , 4 , 6 , 11 , 22 , 25 ]. Electron microscopy provides some important data on UV response of cell fine structure [ 2 , 3 , 15 , 22 ].…”