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Updated: Sep 20, 2025
12:59
Assessment of Oxidative Damage in the Primary Mouse Ocular Surface Cells/Stem Cells in Response to Ultraviolet-C UV-C Damage
Published on: February 15, 2020
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Enhanced UV-C resistance through light-activated zinc-cysteine complex formation
Martin Fuleky1, Katarina Molnarova1, Jan Novak2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1665/1, 613 00, Brno, Czech Republic.
Summary
A novel zinc-cysteine (Zn-Cys) complex protects microalgae and maize from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This complex enhances growth and preserves plant health under UV stress, offering a sustainable solution for agriculture.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Plant Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation poses a significant threat to organismal growth and integrity.
- Understanding protective mechanisms against UV stress is crucial for various biological systems.
- Microalgae and crop plants face environmental challenges from increased UV exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the UV-protective potential of a zinc-cysteine (Zn-Cys) complex.
- To evaluate the efficacy of Zn-Cys against UV-C radiation in microalgae (Coccomyxa peltigerae, Parachlorella kessleri) and maize (Zea mays L.).
- To elucidate the protective mechanisms of Zn-Cys under UV stress.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of Zn-Cys complex to UV-C (254 nm) radiation.
- Cultivation of microalgae and maize with Zn-Cys under UV exposure.
- Hyperspectral imaging to assess photosynthetic efficiency and structural changes in Parachlorella kessleri.
- Measurement of chlorophyll content and polyphenol accumulation in Zea mays L.
Main Results:
- Zn-Cys complex formed fluorescent photoproducts with UV-protective properties.
- Zn-Cys significantly mitigated UV-induced stress in both microalgae and maize.
- Optimal Zn-Cys concentration (20%) enhanced microalgal growth under UV exposure.
- Hyperspectral imaging confirmed Zn-Cys reduced UV-induced damage to photosynthetic efficiency and structure.
- Zn-Cys treatment preserved chlorophyll and reduced oxidative stress markers in maize.
Conclusions:
- The zinc-cysteine complex demonstrates significant UV-protective capabilities.
- Zn-Cys offers a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for mitigating UV radiation effects.
- Findings support the application of Zn-Cys in terrestrial and extraterrestrial agriculture for enhanced plant resilience.
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