A Study on Nobel SUNBLOCK Materials Containing an Active Ingredient Extracted from Symbiodinium

Symbiodinium is a dinoflagellate genus that coexists with coral reefs and is known to provide ultraviolet (UV) protection in nature through the synthesis of mycosporin-like amino acids (MAA). In order to develop a natural and ecofriendly sunblock for use in summer resorts, the possibility of using a Symbiodinium microbiome extract or an MAA was investigated. Two sunblocks, one containing 7% Symbiodinium extract and the other containing MAA were prepared to be tested on hairless mice and human skin. In this clinical study, the sun protection factor (SPF) and Protection factor of UV A (PFA) values of the sunblock containing either Symbiodinium extract or MAA were determined. The SPF values of the sunblock containing Symbiodinium extract and MAA were 10.43 and 10.83, respectively, and the PFA values were 3.42 and 3.39, respectively. Based on their PFA values of ≥2, the UV A protection can be graded as PA+ (low) for both the sunblocks. In addition, the UV-blocking extract of Symbiodinium has a low phototoxicity and cytotoxicity, reducing the possibility of a heavy feeling to the skin or a foreign-body sensation caused by residue build-up. The low toxicity feature of the major sunblock component will also prevent side effects, such as allergic reactions. Although Symbiodinium extract or MAA alone do not provide effectiveprotection against UV irradiation, their protection capacity can be complemented by the addition of inorganic UV-protecting compounds.

심바이오디니움으로부터 추출된 유효성분을 함유하는 신규 SUN BLOCK 물질에 관한 연구