Property Description
Building on the Antarctic Microalgae Culture Collection established in 2020, efforts since 2022 have focused on obtaining and characterizing biomolecules that provide natural defense against UV radiation. Biomass from selected extremophilic microalgae cultivated at low temperatures was subjected to sequential extraction and fractionation, and target fractions with potential as natural UV filters were isolated. The chemical and functional profiles of the isolated compounds were defined through HPLC, LC–MS/MS, and NMR confirmation; candidates were prioritized based on photochemical endurance (photostability) and antioxidant screening. In parallel, safety-oriented preliminary assessments and pre-formulation compatibility tests are being planned.
Within a programmatic project (2022–2025), selected microalgal species were exposed to varying UVA/UVB spectra and intensity, temperature, and salinity stress conditions, and the resulting mycosporine-like amino acid profiles were comprehensively evaluated. Chromatographic methods were used for profile extraction and verification; based on photostability, antioxidant performance, and cellular safety results, candidate compounds were ranked by intended use. The findings particularly support cosmetic application potential with a biocosmetics focus and provide direct input to scale-up and pre-production steps.
Accordingly, a renewed project proposal was prepared for the TÜBİTAK 1001 program and received support. Under this support, analytical verification capacity has been strengthened, process optimization deepened, and work packages incorporating scalability, stability, and compliance criteria have been structured, defining a roadmap that extends toward pre-production.