Planta Med 2013; 79 - PI70
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1352159

Screening of specific photoprotective compounds in Ulvophyceae (Chlorophyta) from the Southeastern Brazilian coastline

LG Marques 1, EM Stein 2, DX Andreguetti 2, P Colepicolo 1
  • 1Universidade de São Paulo, Instituto de Química, Departamento de Bioquímica, São Paulo, Brazil
  • 2Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, São Paulo, Brazil

Ultraviolet radiation exerts its deleterious effects on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To avoid damage, organisms developed defense mechanisms such as the synthesis and accumulation of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). MAAs are water-soluble, small molecules (see figure below) having an absorption maxima of 309 – 362nm, synthesized only by fungi, algae and bacteria. Besides having photoprotective function, they are believed to have other biological roles, such as contributions to osmotic regulation, reproduction and chemical signaling1.

Fig. 1: General structure of a mycosporine-like amino acid.

In order to obtain more information about Brazilian seaweed, seven samples of Ulvophyceae (Chlorophyta) were collected at the south coast of Espírito Santo State (Southeast Region of Brazil): Caulerpa racemosa var. occidentalis, Caulerpa cupressoides var. lycopodium, Chaetomorpha antennina, Codium decorticatum, Udotea flabellum and Halimeda cuneata (two samples collected at different sites). It was possible to separate and identify some MAAs by making use of HPLC-MS. Shinorine and porphyra-334 seem to be ubiquitous among these algae; indeed, these compounds are described as the most common MAAs found in nature. The two samples of H. cuneata exhibit different patterns of MAAs, despite their collection sites being quite close to each other; however, the peak distinguishing one sample from the other has not yet been identified. Among the studied algae, C. racemosa var. occidentalis seems to be the most interesting one, given its higher diversity of peaks: with absorption maxima ranging from 319nm to 343nm (to say, both in UVA and UVB spectrum ranges), this alga extract may become an attractive alternative for new sunscreen formulations. It was not possible to accurately identify these peaks until now, but more analyses are being carried out to identify these compounds.

Reference:

[1] Carreto JI, Carignan MO. Mycosporine-like amino acids: Relevant secondary metabolites. Chemical and ecological aspects. Mar. Drugs 2011; 9: 387.