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Infecting Mice with Malassezia spp. to Study the Fungus-Host Interaction
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Published on: November 6, 2019

Pityriacitrin--a potent UV filter produced by Malassezia furfur and its effect on human skin microflora

Angelika Machowinski1, Hans-Joachim Krämer, Wiebke Hort

  • 1Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Gaffykstrasse 14, 35385 Giessen, Germany.

Mycoses
|August 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pityriacitrin, derived from Malassezia furfur, offers significant UV protection for Candida albicans and staphylococci. This indole compound demonstrates UV-protective capacity without exhibiting toxicity to these skin microorganisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Dermatology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Malassezia furfur utilizes tryptophan to produce pityriacitrin, a potent UV-absorbing indole compound.
  • Pityriacitrin's effects on other human skin microorganisms, particularly Candida albicans and staphylococci, require investigation.
  • Understanding pityriacitrin's UV-protective and toxicological properties is crucial for skin health applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vitro effects of pityriacitrin on Candida albicans and staphylococci.
  • To determine the UV-protective capacity of pityriacitrin against UVB radiation.
  • To assess the toxicity of pityriacitrin on selected human skin microorganisms.

Main Methods:

  • Candida albicans growth rates were measured after UVB irradiation with and without pityriacitrin.
  • Staphylococci were tested for antibiotic effects using a diffusion assay.
  • UV-protective effects on staphylococci were evaluated through plate models and quantitative cell density measurements in quartz cylinders.

Main Results:

  • Pityriacitrin protected Candida albicans from UVB-induced death, maintaining fungal growth.
  • No significant antibiotic effects of pityriacitrin were observed against staphylococci.
  • Pityriacitrin demonstrated a UV-protective effect on staphylococci without compromising bacterial growth rates.

Conclusions:

  • Pityriacitrin exhibits a significant UV-protective effect on both Candida albicans and staphylococci.
  • The tested concentrations of pityriacitrin showed no toxicity to the studied microorganisms.
  • Pityriacitrin represents a potential UV-protective agent for skin applications.

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