To prevent the negative effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiations from sunlight (<i>e.g.</i>, skin cancer), we have designed and prepared novel UV-absorbing materials inspired by nature and entirely based on molecular compounds from marine organisms. The unique physicochemical and structural properties of chitosan were combined with the remarkable UV-absorbing capacity of metabolites designated as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). MAAs are known to act as natural sunscreens in marine organisms, namely cyanobacteria, algae, fungi and some fish species. Chitosan was used as a matrix to graft the MAAs. The resulting UV-absorbing materials retained the characteristic absorption properties of the MAAs in the UVA and UVB regions, and exhibited a strong capacity to absorb both types of UV radiations. The materials were also photostable and thermoresistant after exposure to drastic physical treatments. The biocompatibility of the materials was assessed using cell cultures of murine fibroblasts. The materials were shown to be non-cytotoxic and fully compatible with cell proliferation and adhesion. Thus, they present a high potential for use in medical devices and many other applications.

UV-absorbing materials based on natural molecular sunscreens and chitosan

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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