The influence of environmental features in the content of mycosporine-like amino acids in red marine algae along the Brazilian coast

Culture Optimization to Produce High Yields of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids by Fischerella sp. F5

Fischerella sp. is a valuable source of active metabolites, including UV-protecting compounds, among which mycosporin-like amino acids (MAAs) can be mentioned. Mycosporine-like amino acids are attractive secondary metabolites of a wide range of microorganisms, including microalgae and cyanobacteria. Enhanced production of MAAs has been studied in different sources. This study aimed to optimize the phosphate and nitrate concentrations of the culture medium on BG11 to maximize MAAs production from Fischerella sp. F5, using response surface methodology. The extraction process from the cultures, grown in adjusted conditions, was also optimized. The results confirmed that increasing both, nitrate and phosphate concentration, in the culture medium had a positive effect on the MAAs production by Fischerella sp. F5. While, optimization of the extraction process was not led to a highly accurate predictive model; temperature, sonication time, methanol ratio, and solvent/biomass ratio exhibited significant effects on the final MAAs' concentration in partially purified extracts. In general, more optimization cultures studies need to complete these findings in reference to MAAs production and extraction from Fischerella sp. F5, for commercial-scale applications.

Recent Advances and Future Prospects of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are a class of water-soluble active substances produced by various aquatic organisms. However, due to the limitations of low accumulation of MAAs in organisms, the cumbersome extraction process, difficult identification, and high cost, MAAs have not yet been widely used in human life. Recently, there has been an emergence of heterologous synthesis for MAAs, making increasing yield the key to the quantification and application of MAAs. This review summarizes the latest research progress of MAAs, including: (1) introducing the biodistribution of MAAs and the content differences among different species to provide a reference for the selection of research subjects; (2) elaborating the species and molecular information of MAAs; (3) dissecting the synthesis mechanism and sorting out the synthesis pathways of various MAAs; (4) summarizing the methods of extraction and identification, summarizing the advantages and disadvantages, and providing a reference for the optimization of extraction protocols; (5) examining the heterologous synthesis method; and (6) summarizing the physiological functions of MAAs. This paper comprehensively updates the latest research status of MAAs and the various problems that need to be addressed, especially emphasizing the potential advantages of heterologous synthesis in the future production of MAAs.

Isolation of Mycosporine-like Amino Acids from Red Macroalgae and a Marine Lichen by High-Performance Countercurrent Chromatography: A Strategy to Obtain Biological UV-Filters

Marine organisms have gained considerable biotechnological interest in recent years due to their wide variety of bioactive compounds with potential applications. Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are UV-absorbing secondary metabolites with antioxidant and photoprotective capacity, mainly found in organisms living under stress conditions (e.g., cyanobacteria, red algae, or lichens). In this work, five MAAs were isolated from two red macroalgae (Pyropia columbina and Gelidium corneum) and one marine lichen (Lichina pygmaea) by high-performance countercurrent chromatography (HPCCC). The selected biphasic solvent system consisted of ethanol, acetonitrile, saturated ammonium sulphate solution, and water (1:1:0.5:1; v:v:v:v). The HPCCC process for P. columbina and G. corneum consisted of eight separation cycles (1 g and 200 mg of extract per cycle, respectively), whereas three cycles were performed for of L. pygmaea (1.2 g extract per cycle). The separation process resulted in fractions enriched with palythine (2.3 mg), asterina-330 (3.3 mg), shinorine (14.8 mg), porphyra-334 (203.5 mg) and mycosporine-serinol (46.6 mg), which were subsequently desalted by using precipitation with methanol and permeation on a Sephadex G-10 column. Target molecules were identified by HPLC, MS, and NMR.

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Its Combination with Pyropia columbina (Rhodophyta) Extracts for a Cosmeceutical Application

We report the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by using daisy petals (Bellis perennis), leek (Allium porrum) and garlic skin (Allium sativum) as reducing agents and water as solvent. AgNPs are obtained with high monodispersity, spherical shapes and size ranging from 5 to 35 nm and characterized by UV-Vis and TEM techniques. The obtained yields in AgNPs are in concordance with the total phenolic content of each plant. We also study the incorporation of AgNPs in combination with the red algae Pyropia columbina extracts (PCE) into cosmetic formulations and analyze their combined effect as photoprotective agents. Moreover, we carry out the inclusion of the PCE containing mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), which are strong UV-absorbing and antioxidant compounds, into β-cyclodextrin (βCD) and pNIPAM nanoparticles and analyze stability and release. The thermoresponsive polymer is grown by free radical polymerization using N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) as the monomer, N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (BIS) as the cross-linker, and 2,2'-azobis(2-methylpropionamidene) (V50) as the initiator, while βCD complex is prepared by heating in water. We evaluate the nanoparticle and βCD complex formation by UV-Vis and FT-IR, and NMR spectroscopies, respectively, and the nanoparticles' morphology, including particle size, by TEM. The cosmetic formulations are subsequently subjected to accelerated stability tests and photoprotective analyses: a synergistic effect in the combination of AgNPs and PCE in photoprotection was found. It is not related to a UV screen effect but to the antioxidant activity, having potential against photoaging.

Rhodophyta as Potential Sources of Photoprotectants, Antiphotoaging Compounds, and Hydrogels for Cosmeceutical Application

Seaweeds are macroscopic, multicellular, eukaryotic and photosynthetic organisms, and are a source of chemical diversity with powerful biological activities for diversified industrial applications including cosmeceuticals. Red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) are good sources of Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAA) for photoprotectant and antiphotoaging compounds. In addition, Rhodophyta are also good sources for hydrogel compounds that are used widely in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries as gelling agents, moisturizers or for their antiphotoaging effects. Our survey and ongoing studies revealed that the biodiversity of Indonesian Rhodophyta is rich and is a treasure trove for cosmeceutical agents including MAA and hydrogels. This study delivers valuable information for identifying potential red seaweeds in screening and searching for cosmeceutical agents.

A Study on the Effect of Nitrate and Phosphate Concentrations on the Production of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids by Chlorella Vulgaris

BACKGROUND

Cyanobacteria can produce compounds absorbing ultraviolet irradiation. Mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) are some of these important metabolites, which can be potentially considered as a sunscreen agent in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Different factors have been reported that can affect the biosynthesis of MAA.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the influence of different concentrations of phosphate and nitrate under different environmental conditions on MAA production by Chlorella vulgaris was investigated using an experimental design method, in order to enhance MAAs production in this specious.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A 2³ full factorial design (FFD) using Design-Expert v7.0.0 software was used to optimize simultaneously all the three factors of nitrate and phosphate concentration and condition of incubation environment on the MAA production by this species of C. vulgaris. Two milliliter of organism stock were grown in 200 mL BG11 medium and after 21 days, the biomasses of all samples were separated. Then, the MAA was extracted from dried biomass using methanol extraction. The extracts were analyzed by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). After complete analysis, four samples were then cultured at the optimized conditions and analyzed by liquid chromatohraphy coupled to mass spectrometry (LC/MS).

RESULTS

The results showed that this microalga could produce compounds with λ^max of 330 nm and a retention time of about 2 min. According to the central composite analysis, phosphate at 0.51 g.L^-1 and nitrate at 2.5 g.L^-1 can be considered as the optimum concentrations, resulting to the preferable conditions concerning the culture in germinator. Based on LC/MSS analysis, the major compound had a m/z of 332 at the optimum condition.

CONCLUSION

Thus, this species is expected to have the capability of MAA production (maybe Shinorine) or one of its glycosylated derivatives.

Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids from Red Macroalgae: UV-Photoprotectors with Potential Cosmeceutical Applications

Macroalgae belong to a diverse group of organisms that could be exploited for biomolecule application. Among the biocompounds found in this group, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are highlighted mainly due to their photoprotection, antioxidant properties, and high photo and thermo-stability, which are attractive characteristics for the development of cosmeceutical products. Therefore, here we revise published data about MAAs, including their biosynthesis, biomass production, extraction, characterization, identification, purification, and bioactivities. MAAs can be found in many algae species, but the highest concentrations are found in red macroalgae, mainly in the order Bangiales, as Porphyra spp. In addition to the species, the content of MAAs can vary depending on environmental factors, of which solar radiation and nitrogen availability are the most influential. MAAs can confer photoprotection due to their capacity to absorb ultraviolet radiation or reduce the impact of free radicals on cells, among other properties. To extract these compounds, different approaches can be used. The efficiency of these methods can be evaluated with characterization and identification using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), associated with other apparatus such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Therefore, the data presented in this review allow a broad comprehension of MAAs and show perspectives for their inclusion in cosmeceutical products.

Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAs): Biology, Chemistry and Identification Features

Mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids are ultra-violet-absorbing compounds produced by several organisms such as lichens, fungi, algae and cyanobacteria, especially upon exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. These compounds have photoprotective and antioxidant functions. Mycosporine-like amino acids have been used as a natural bioactive ingredient in cosmetic products. Several reviews have already been developed on these photoprotective compounds, but they focus on specific features. Herein, an extremely complete database on mycosporines and mycosporine-like amino acids, covering the whole class of these natural sunscreen compounds known to date, is presented. Currently, this database has 74 compounds and provides information about the chemistry, absorption maxima, protonated mass, fragments and molecular structure of these UV-absorbing compounds as well as their presence in organisms. This platform completes the previous reviews and is available online for free and in the public domain. This database is a useful tool for natural product data mining, dereplication studies, research working in the field of UV-absorbing compounds mycosporines and being integrated in mass spectrometry library software.

Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids from Marine Resource

In the last 10 years, a great number of publications (both regular papers and reviews) have been published on the interesting molecules—mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). Despite significant advances in the research of MAAs, current overviews in the recent publications involving MAA research still need reporting. The aim of this Special Issue is to join, as an interdisciplinary approach, the photochemical and photobiological aspects, with emphasis on new natural resources to obtain both algae and zooplankton MAAs, advances in methodology of extraction and chemical identification of new MAAs. Finally, this Special Issue reviews the bioactivities of MAAs including UVR screen, antioxidant, immunostimulant, growth factor, DNA protection, inhibition of collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase, and anti-photoaging, among others, and their potential use as nutracosmeceutic molecules (i.e., oral and topic photoprotector).

Cyanobacteria and Red Macroalgae as Potential Sources of Antioxidants and UV Radiation-Absorbing Compounds for Cosmeceutical Applications

In recent years, research on natural products has gained considerable attention, particularly in the cosmetic industry, which is looking for new bio-active and biodegradable molecules. In this study, cosmetic properties of cyanobacteria and red macroalgae were analyzed. The extractions were conducted in different solvents (water, ethanol and two combinations of water:ethanol). The main molecules with antioxidant and photoprotective capacity were mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), scytonemin and phenolic compounds. The highest contents of scytonemin (only present in cyanobacteria) were observed in Scytonema sp. (BEA 1603B) and Lyngbya sp. (BEA 1328B). The highest concentrations of MAAs were found in the red macroalgae Porphyra umbilicalis, Gelidium corneum and Osmundea pinnatifida and in the cyanobacterium Lyngbya sp. Scytonema sp. was the unique species that presented an MAA with maximum absorption in the UV-B band, being identified as mycosporine-glutaminol for the first time in this species. The highest content of polyphenols was observed in Scytonema sp. and P. umbilicalis. Water was the best extraction solvent for MAAs and phenols, whereas scytonemin was better extracted in a less polar solvent such as ethanol:_dH₂O (4:1). Cyanobacterium extracts presented higher antioxidant activity than those of red macroalgae. Positive correlations of antioxidant activity with different molecules, especially polyphenols, biliproteins and MAAs, were observed. Hydroethanolic extracts of some species incorporated in creams showed an increase in the photoprotection capacity in comparison with the base cream. Extracts of these organisms could be used as natural photoprotectors improving the diversity of sunscreens. The combination of different extracts enriched in scytonemin and MAAs could be useful to design broad-band natural UV-screen cosmeceutical products.

Efficient Extraction and Antioxidant Capacity of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids from Red Alga Dulse Palmaria palmata in Japan

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are the ultraviolet (UV)-absorbable compounds, which are naturally produced by cyanobacteria and algae. Not only these algae but also marine organisms utilize MAAs to protect their DNA from UV-induced damage. On the other hand, the content of MAAs in algae was changed by the environmental condition and season. In addition to the UV-protected function, the antioxidant capacity of MAAs can apply to the cosmetic sunscreen materials and anti-cancer for human health. In this study, we developed the efficient extraction method of MAAs from red alga dulse in Usujiri (Hokkaido, Japan) and investigated the monthly variation. We also evaluated the antioxidant capacity. We employed the successive extraction method of water and then methanol extraction. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses revealed that the yield of MAAs by 6 h water extraction was the highest among the tested conditions, and the content of MAAs in the sample of February was the most (6.930 µmol g-1 dry weight) among the sample from January to May in 2019. Antioxidant capacity of MAAs such as crude MAAs, the purified palythine and porphyra-334 were determined by 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging and ferrous reducing power assays in various pH conditions, showing that the highest scavenging activity and reducing power were found at alkaline condition (pH 8.0).

A Comprehensive Review of the Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Applications of Red Seaweeds (Rhodophyta)

The red seaweed group (Rhodophyta) is one of the phyla of macroalgae, among the groups Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyta, brown and green seaweeds, respectively. Nowadays, all groups of macroalgae are getting the attention of the scientific community due to the bioactive substances they produce. Several macroalgae products have exceptional properties with nutraceutical, pharmacological, and biomedical interest. The main compounds studied are the fatty acids, pigments, phenols, and polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are the most exploited molecules, which are already widely used in various industries and are, presently, entering into more advanced applications from the therapeutic point of view. The focuses of this review are the red seaweeds' compounds, its proprieties, and its uses. Moreover, this work discusses new possible applications of the compounds of the red seaweeds.

Seasonal Variation of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids in Three Subantarctic Red Seaweeds

UV-absorbing compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), are a group of secondary metabolites present in many marine species, including red seaweeds. In these organisms, the content and proportion of the composition of MAAs vary, depending on the species and several environmental factors. Its high cosmetic interest calls for research on the content and composition of MAAs, as well as the dynamics of MAAs accumulation in seaweeds from different latitudes. Therefore, this study aimed to survey the content of UV-absorbing MAAs in three Subantarctic red seaweeds during a seasonal cycle. Using spectrophotometric and HPLC techniques, the content and composition of MAAs of intertidal Iridaea tuberculosa, Nothogenia fastigiate, and Corallina officinalis were assessed. Some samples were also analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry coupled with HPLC-ESI-MS in order to identify more precisely the MAA composition. I. tuberculosa exhibited the highest MAA values (above 1 mg g-1 of dried mass weight), while C. officinalis showed values not exceeding 0.4 mg g-1. Porphyra-334 was the main component in N. fastigiata, whereas I. tuberculosa and C. officinalis exhibited a high content of palythine. Both content and composition of MAAs varied seasonally, with high concentration recorded in different seasons, depending on the species, i.e., winter (I. tuberculosa), spring (N. fastigiata), and summer (C. officinalis). HPLC-ESI-MS allowed us to identify seven different MAAs. Two were recorded for the first time in seaweeds from Subantarctic areas (mycosporine-glutamic acid and palythine-serine), and we also recorded an eighth UV-absorbing compound which remains unidentified.

Distribution, Contents, and Types of Mycosporine-Like Amino Acids (MAAs) in Marine Macroalgae and a Database for MAAs Based on These Characteristics

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), maximally absorbed in the wavelength region of 310–360 nm, are widely distributed in algae, phytoplankton and microorganisms, as a class of possible multi-functional compounds. In this work, based on the Web of Science, Springer, Google Scholar, and China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI), we have summarized and analyzed the studies related to MAAs in marine macroalgae over the past 30 years (1990–2019), mainly focused on MAAs distribution, contents, and types. It was confirmed that 572 species marine macroalgae contained MAAs, namely in 45 species of Chlorophytes, 41 species of Phaeophytes, and 486 species of Rhodophytes, and they respectively belonged to 28 orders. On this basis, we established an open online database to quickly retrieve MAAs in 501 species of marine macroalgae. Furthermore, research concerning MAAs in marine macroalgae were analyzed using CiteSpace. It could easily be seen that the preparation and purification of MAAs in marine macroalgae have not been intensively studied during the past 10 years, and therefore it is necessary to strengthen the research in the preparation and purification of MAA purified standards from marine macroalgae in the future. We agreed that this process is not only interesting, but important due to the potential use of MAAs as food and cosmetics, as well as within the medicine industry.

Dual influence of terrestrial and marine historical processes on the phylogeography of the Brazilian intertidal red alga Gracilaria caudata

In this study, we explored how past terrestrial and marine climate changes have interacted to shape the phylogeographic patterns of the intertidal red seaweed Gracilaria caudata, an economically important species exploited for agar production in the Brazilian north-east. Seven sites were sampled along the north-east tropical and south-east sub-tropical Brazilian coast. The genetic diversity and structure of G. caudata was inferred using a combination of mitochondrial (COI and cox2-3), chloroplast (rbcL) and 15 nuclear microsatellite markers. A remarkable congruence between nuclear, mitochondrial and chloroplast data revealed clear separation between the north-east (from 03° S to 08° S) and the south-east (from 20° S to 23° S) coast of Brazil. These two clades differ in their demographic histories, with signatures of recent demographic expansions in the north-east and divergent populations in the south-east, suggesting the maintenance of several refugia during the last glacial maximum due to sea-level rise and fall. The Bahia region (around 12° S) occupies an intermediate position between both clades. Microsatellites and mtDNA markers showed additional levels of genetic structure within each sampled site located south of Bahia. The separation between the two main groups in G. caudata is likely recent, probably occurring during the Quaternary glacial cycles. The genetic breaks are concordant with (i) those separating terrestrial refugia, (ii) major river outflows and (iii) frontiers between tropical and subtropical regions. Taken together with previously published eco-physiological studies that showed differences in the physiological performance of the strains from distinct locations, these results suggest that the divergent clades in G. caudata correspond to distinct ecotypes in the process of incipient speciation and thus should be considered for the management policy of this commercially important species.

Photo-protective compounds in red macroalgae from Brittany: Considerable diversity in mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs)

To cope with the biotic and abiotic stresses experienced within their environment, marine macroalgae have developed certain defence mechanisms including the synthesis of photo-protective molecules against light and particularly harmful UV radiation. The aim of this study was to screen selected red algae, a highly diverse phylogenetic group, for the production of photo-protective molecules. The pigment content and composition (i.e. chlorophyll-a, phycobiliproteins and carotenoids) and the composition of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) were studied in 40 species of red macroalgae collected in Brittany (France), at two distinct periods (i.e. February and July 2017). A high inter-specific variability was demonstrated in terms of pigment content and MAA composition. Twenty-three potential MAAs were detected by HPLC, and six were identified by LC-MS (i.e. shinorine, palythine, asterina-330, porphyra-334, usurijene and palythene). This is the first study to report on the composition of pigments and MAAs in a diverse group of red seaweeds from Brittany, including some species for which the MAA composition has never been studied before. Nevertheless, the results suggested that some species of red algae are more likely to cope with high levels of light radiation since those species such as Bostrychia scorpioides, Porphyra dioica, Gracilaria vermiculophylla and Vertebrata lanosa are living in environments exposed to higher levels of irradiation, and had various MAAs in addition to their photo-protective pigments.

The interactive effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, UV radiation, and climate change on aquatic ecosystems

Summary of current knowledge about effects of UV radiation in inland and oceanic waters related to stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.