Extraction and antioxidant capacity of mycosporine-like amino acids from red algae in Japan

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are the natural UV-absorbing compounds with antioxidant activity found in microalgae and macroalgae. We collected red algae Asparagopsis taxiformis, Meristotheca japonica, and Polysiphonia senticulosa from Nagasaki, where UV radiation is more intense than in Hokkaido, and investigated the effect of UV radiation on MAA content. It was suggested that A. taxiformis and M. japonica contained shinorine and palythine, while UV-absorbing compound in P. senticulosa could not be identified. The amounts of these MAAs were lower compared to those from Hokkaido. Despite an increase in UV radiation in both regions from February to April, MAA contents of red algae from Nagasaki slightly decreased while those from Hokkaido significantly decreased. This difference was suggested the amount of inorganic nitrogen in the ocean. Antioxidant activity of MAAs increased under alkaline conditions. The extract containing MAAs from P. senticulosa showed the highest antioxidant activity among 4 red algae.