Sunscreens, oxidative stress and antioxidant functions in marine organisms of the Great Barrier Reef.

An overview of the biochemical photophysiology of tropical, reef-building corals is presented with a discussion on the biosynthetic relationship between natural UV-absorbing sunscreens and certain antioxidant functions in marine organisms. Our studies reveal that marine organisms, including 'UV-extremophilic' bacteria, are a rich source of novel antioxidants having potential for the development of commercial and biomedical applications. Novel sunscreening agents derived from tropical marine organisms of the Great Barrier Reef are in development. New marine-derived antioxidants are being isolated for testing as chemopreventatives in a variety of oxidatively degenerative diseases.