Marine algae and cyanobacteria biomass contains bioactive compounds of interest for food, feed, cosmetics and health, among others. Cosmeceutical products as UV screen creams present both cosmetic and pharmacology applications . Photoprotection against UV radiation by using physical and chemical filters is a strategy to reduces the negative effects of UV radiation on human health, but the safety of certain UV-filters for both our health and the environment has been questioned in the last years. Some synthetic UV-filters have shown negative effects on human health, related to endocrine disruptions, photoallergies and oxidative stress and on marine environment (phytoplankton damage, coral bleaching and hormone disorder in marine mammals). Thus, it is necessary to development alternative UV-filters that are natural, biodegradable and non-toxic as the Biological UV photoprotectors. In this study, the UV screen and antioxidant capacity of extracts containing Polyphenols, mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) and Scytonmein from algae and cyanobacteria are presented. The research on the use of bioactive compounds as UV photoprotectors includes: (1) Biomass availability (harvested and cultured), (2) Screening of bioactive compounds from available biomass: content , diversity and productivity of molecules with cosmeceutical applications, (3) Biotechnology and Photobiology : Increase of content and productivity of bioactive compounds: Irradiance, Light quality (UV-PAR)-Nutrients, salinity and stress factors , (4) Extraction in compatible solvents for natural cosmetics: Water and Ethanol and use of advanced methods for extraction as hydrolytic enzymes assisted by ultrasounds or high pressure (5) Characterization, Identification and Purification of molecules with new approaches as high performance counter current chromatography and (6) To conduct assays to evaluate the cosmeceutical applications as UV-screen, antioxidant, antiphotoaging, anti-inflammatory, DNA protection among others. UV photoprotectors from marine algae and cyanobacteria represents a Blue Biotechnology approach with benefits for both human health and marine environment.

The seminar will be held on January 17, at 13:30, at the University of Algarve, Gambelas Campus - Complexo Pedagógico, Anfiteatro D, and also online, via Zoom.

Participation is free but mandatory to register.

REGISTER HERE

About our speaker:

Professor of Malaga University. Director of the Institute of Blue Biotechnology and Developemnt (IBYDA). Doctoral thesis conducted (24), papers (285).

This seminar was kindly sponsored by