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

The mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA), porphyra-334 (lambda(max) = 334 nm; epsilon = 42,300 M(-1) cm(-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.