Photoprotective and biotechnological potentials of cyanobacterial sheath pigment, scytonemin

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are the main component of microbial populations fixing atmospheric nitrogen in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems, especially in wetland rice-fields, where they significantly contribute to fertility as natural biofertilizers. Cyanobacteria require solar radiation as their primary source of energy to carry out both photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. The stratospheric ozone depletion which has resulted in an increase in ultraviolet-B (UV-B; 280 -315 nm) radiation on earth's surface has been reported to inhibit a number of photochemical and photobiological processes in cyanobacteria. However, certain cyanobacteria have evolved mechanisms such as synthesis of photoprotective compound scytonemin and their derivatives to counteract the damaging effects of UV-B. In addition this compound has anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative potentials. This review deals with the role of scytonemin as photoprotective compound and its pharmacological as well as biotechnological potentials.

Effect of salinity on scytonemin yield in endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert

“…Considering the growth and scytonemin production capacity of Chroococcidiopsis sp. UAM571 and the increasing biotechnological interest of scytonemin 7 , 18 , 37 not yet commercially available, it seems crucial to estimate its potential mass productivity. With this purpose, we performed a simplified simulation of biomass (g DW m −2 day −1 ) and scytonemin productivity (mg m −2 day −1 ) based on our experimental data extrapolated to standard mass culturing devices including both a single system and two different multi-system arrangements (Table S2 ).…”

Ultraviolet-screening bioproducts by endolithic cyanobacteria from the Atacama Desert: the effect of salinity in growth and scytonemin production yields

“…Considering the growth and scytonemin production capacity of Chroococcidiopsis sp. UAM571 and the increasing biotechnological interest of scytonemin 9,20,37 not yet commercially available, it seems crucial to estimate its potential mass productivity. With this purpose, we performed a simpli ed simulation of biomass (g DW m − 2 d − 1 ) and scytonemin productivity (mg m − 2 d − 1 ) based on our experimental data extrapolated to standard mass culturing devices including both a single system and two different multisystem arrangements (Table S2).…”

Economically Potential Pigments from Marine Blue-Green Algae for the Application in Food and Health

“…It is a water-soluble and adheres to the membrane. In addition to macronutrient and micronutrient components, it contains photosynthetic pigments that can be developed in the areas of food, health, and renewable energy [2][3][4][5]. There are three major classes of photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phycobilins which has been known to be non toxic and non carcinogenic [1].…”