Abstract
Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) have gained considerable attention as highly active photoprotective candidates for human sunscreens. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the extraction efficiencies of these metabolites in cosmetic compatible solvents, as well as, their subsequent HPLC analysis. In the present study, MAA extraction using distilled water and 20% aqueous methanol in four Rhodophyta was investigated. Different re-dissolution solvents and a C8 and C18 columns were tested for the HPLC analysis. Porphyra-334, shinorine, palythine, palythine-serine, asterina-330, and palythinol were identified by HPLC/ESI-MS. The separation of these MAAs were improved employing the C8-column, and using methanol as re-dissolution solvent. Regarding total MAAs concentrations, no differences between the two solvents were found. The highest MAA amounts were observed injecting them directly in the HPLC. According to these results, distilled water could be an excellent extraction solvent for MAAs. Nevertheless, the re-dissolution in pure methanol after dryness would be the best option for the qualitative analysis of the most common MAAs in these red algae. Our results entail important implications regarding the use of red macroalgae as promising candidates as environment-friendly sources of natural sunscreens.
Highlights
Solar radiation exposes the intertidal marine macroalgae to elevated irradiances of UV-B (280–315 nm) and UV-A (315–400 nm)
Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) [8,9] have drawn special attention as molecules act as antioxidants and provide photoprotection [10,11]
In order to study the influence of distilled water, as a solvent of extraction in mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) analysis, four Rhodophytes were selected based on their medium-high MAA contents and their different MAA
Summary
Solar radiation exposes the intertidal marine macroalgae to elevated irradiances of UV-B (280–315 nm) and UV-A (315–400 nm). Depletion of the ozone layer in the stratosphere during the past two decades has intensified the levels of solar UV-B radiation, which has reached unexpected levels that can be harmful for many biological processes [1,2,3]. The UV radiation can produce several detrimental effects on biologically important molecules such as lipids, proteins, or DNA [4,5,6]. The marine organisms that are exposed to UV radiation can accumulate natural UV-absorbing compounds [7]. The main producers of these molecules in the marine coast are the red algae [12,13,14]
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