Optimization of the extraction of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) from Hypnea musciformis and cyanobacteria isolated from the Geno hot springs

Algae are photosynthetic organisms that have developed protective compounds, such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), to counteract the optical damage. The purpose of this study was to extract ultraviolet absorbing compounds using different solvent and temperature. Thus, the cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya fragilis and red algae Hypnea musciformis were used to extract ultraviolet absorbing compounds. Different solvents including 100% and 20% methanol, 70% ethanol, distilled water and 100% ethyl acetate were used for MAA extraction at 2 different temperatures of 4°C and 45°C. The cyanobacterium Leptolyngbya fragilis showed the highest amount of UV-absorbing compounds in the 100% ethyl acetate extract at 4°C at a wavelength of 384nm (λmax = 1.78154), while red algae Hypnea musciformis in the 20% methanol extract at 45°C at a wavelength of 336nm (λmax = 0.933). Moreover, in the 70% ethanol extract, absorption in the ultraviolet range was almost zero. In general, it can be said that not only the solvent and temperature used to extract ultraviolet adsorbents effect the extraction efficiency, but these indices are not the same in different species.