Effect of High Salinity on Mycosporine-Like Amino Acid Production in Desmodesmus sp.

Mycosporine like amino acids (MAAs) are UV absorbing compounds which are produced by a variety of organisms such as algae and cyanobacteria, in order to protect themselves from harmful UV irradiation. Thus, they can potentially be used as sunscreens in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. Many abiotic factors are studied which induce the production of MAAs in algae and cyanobacteria. In this investigation, we have cultivated the green microalga Desmodesmus sp. under salt stress and studied the effect of high salinity on MAAs biosynthesis. MAAs was extracted and partially purified using HPLC method. One compound with similar properties to MAAs was detected from the biomass extract, having a maximum absorption at 320 nm. Accordingly, this genus of microalgae can produce MAA-like compound under this condition, whereas it was not capable to synthesize MAA in normal condition. In fact, salinity is a stressor which can lead to the induction of MAAs synthesis in this microalga. Moreover, this investigation supports that the production of MAAs in microalgae helps the organism to survive in harsh environments, such as high salinity conditions.