Pure sunscreens defend the pores and skin from damaging radiation whereas lowering the danger of allergic reactions. In a latest examine, researchers recognized a beforehand unknown compound referred to as β-glucose-bound hydroxy mycosporine-sarcosine. This substance is produced by heat-loving cyanobacteria when they’re uncovered to UV-A, UV-B, and salty circumstances. In contrast to different identified mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), this compound is created by a definite biosynthesis pathway. The discovering gives new potentialities for industrial biotechnology centered on producing pure UV-filtering elements.
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic micro organism that produce oxygen and are identified for his or her capacity to outlive in harsh environments. To deal with excessive stress, they generate a variety of chemical compounds. Amongst these are mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), that are small, water-soluble molecules that soak up ultraviolet (UV) radiation. MAAs assist defend cells from solar injury and act as antioxidants by neutralizing stress-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Though these molecules share a fundamental structural framework, their variations give rise to completely different organic actions and features.
Rising Curiosity in Safer UV Safety
As considerations enhance over UV publicity and rising pores and skin most cancers charges, scientists are trying to find safer compounds that provide efficient solar safety. Standard chemical sunscreens can block UV rays, however they’re additionally linked to allergic reactions and different undesirable uncomfortable side effects. MAAs stand out as a result of they’re biocompatible and thought of protected for human use. These qualities make them promising candidates for sustainable biotechnology and large-scale manufacturing of pure sunscreen alternate options.
Discovery in Thailand’s Scorching Springs
In a brand new examine, researchers led by Professor Hakuto Kageyama of Meijo College and Professor Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha of Chulalongkorn College recognized a novel MAA produced by thermophilic cyanobacteria residing in sizzling springs in Thailand. Past figuring out a brand new molecule, the analysis sheds mild on how these organisms adapt to excessive environments. “Understanding stress-responsive biosynthesis in extremophilic cyanobacteria could speed up industrial biotechnology for pure pigment and antioxidant manufacturing,” says Prof. Kageyama when describing the motivation behind the work. The examine was made accessible on-line on December 01, 2025, and later printed in Quantity 1009 of Science of The Whole Setting on December 20, 2025.
A Distinctive Molecule With Uncommon Chemical Options
The analysis group remoted eight strains of heat-tolerant cyanobacteria from the Bo Khlueng sizzling spring in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. Throughout laboratory experiments, one pressure often known as Gloeocapsa species BRSZ produced a beforehand unknown UV-absorbing compound when uncovered to UV-A and UV-B mild. The compound, recognized as β-glucose-bound hydroxy mycosporine-sarcosine (GlcHMS326), was then examined intimately to know its construction and performance.
GlcHMS326 is notable for present process three distinct chemical modifications: glycosylation, hydroxylation, and methylation. These modifications haven’t been beforehand reported in MAAs derived from cyanobacteria. Genetic evaluation revealed that the cyanobacteria accountable for producing this compound comprise a novel set of genes linked to those chemical adjustments.
Triggered by UV Gentle and Salt Stress
Manufacturing of GlcHMS326 will increase considerably when the cyanobacteria are uncovered to UV-A, UV-B, and excessive salt circumstances. Though the organisms originate from sizzling springs, this particular compound will not be triggered by warmth stress. The chemical modifications present in GlcHMS326 contribute to its uncommon construction and enhanced efficiency.
Methylation is understood to enhance the soundness, UV absorption, and antioxidant exercise of MAA compounds. Glycosylation is believed to additional help stability, photoprotection, and antioxidant protection. In contrast with extra frequent MAAs, GlcHMS326 demonstrates stronger free-radical scavenging exercise, indicating that its modified construction performs a key function in boosting its antioxidant potential.
Insights Into Evolution and Stress Tolerance
The examine gives new perception into how cyanobacteria in excessive environments have developed specialised metabolic pathways to supply efficient pure UV-protective compounds. This distinctive MAA seems to play an necessary function in serving to Gloeocapsa species tolerate environmental stress and sure serves a number of features inside these thermophilic cyanobacteria.
Emphasizing the broader significance of the analysis, Prof. Waditee-Sirisattha states, “Cyanobacteria are deemed distinctive among the many microbial world. Our latest examine underscores that extremophilic cyanobacteria should not solely ecologically necessary but additionally symbolize a key space of analysis for a number of disciplines.”
Potential for Eco-Pleasant Sunscreens and Past
The newly recognized compound stands out due to its versatility and potential for sustainable, large-scale manufacturing utilizing cyanobacterial “biofactories.” It may function an alternative choice to sure artificial UV filters that elevate environmental considerations, serving to advance the event of extra eco-friendly sunscreens. Its antioxidant properties additionally recommend attainable makes use of in anti-aging merchandise, skincare formulations, and prescribed drugs.
“This discovery reminds us that nature nonetheless holds many chemical surprises. Extremophilic cyanobacteria reveal unusual molecules that may encourage new instructions in fundamental science and sustainable biotechnology,” concludes Prof. Kageyama.
About Professor Hakuto Kageyama from Meijo College
Dr. Hakuto Kageyama is a Professor within the Graduate College of Environmental and Human Sciences at Meijo College in Japan. He earned his PhD in 2006 from the Graduate College of Science at Nagoya College, the place he studied the circadian clock in cyanobacteria. His analysis focuses on cyanobacteria-derived compounds and their biotechnological functions. He has printed 70 analysis articles and authored or co-authored 5 books. In 2021, he acquired the KOSÉ Cosmetology Award from the KOSÉ Cosmetology Analysis Basis.
About Professor Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha from Chulalongkorn College
Dr. Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha is a Professor within the Division of Microbiology, School of Science, at Chulalongkorn College in Thailand. She earned her Ph.D. from Chulalongkorn College in 2001 and later accomplished postdoctoral analysis with the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, JAPAN. Her work focuses on how extremophiles adapt to harsh environments, the invention of latest compounds produced by these organisms, and metabolic engineering for biotechnological functions. She has contributed to 100 printed analysis articles.
Funding Info
This analysis was supported by Thailand Science analysis and Innovation fund Chulalongkorn College (FOOD_FF_68_121_2300_022) (to Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha), The Singapore Ministry of Schooling MOE-T2EP30123-0007 (to Rungaroon Waditee-Sirisattha & Stephen B. Pointing), a analysis grant from Hibi Science Basis (to Hakuto Kageyama), Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI Grants 24K08623 (to Hakuto Kageyama), and the Postdoctoral Fellowship, the Second Century Fund (C2F), Chulalongkorn College (to Sasiprapa Samsri).
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