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Porphyra-334, a potential natural source for UVA protective sunscreens

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Abstract

The mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA), porphyra-334 (λmax = 334 nm; ε = 42?300 M−1cm−1), was isolated from the aquatic cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) and its structure was verified by spectroscopic methods. The UVA absorption properties of the crude methanolic extract were determined against two commercial sun care products in terms of mean critical wavelength, mean UVA/UVB ratios and UVA protection category (Boots the Chemists, Ltd.). The crude methanolic extract from AFA exhibited maximum UVA protection comparable to that determined for Boots SPF 4.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Natural Products, School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, P.O. Box 12065, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Avital Torres & Morris Srebnik

  2. Department of Dermatology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

    Claes D. Enk & Malka Hochberg

Authors
  1. Avital Torres
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  2. Claes D. Enk
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  3. Malka Hochberg
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  4. Morris Srebnik
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Correspondence to Morris Srebnik.

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Torres, A., Enk, C.D., Hochberg, M. et al. Porphyra-334, a potential natural source for UVA protective sunscreens. Photochem Photobiol Sci 5, 432–435 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1039/b517330m

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1039/b517330m

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