Extracellular MAA Biosynthesis for Stable UV Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current UV protectors, particularly UV-absorbing agents, face issues such as instability, molecular excitation leading to itchiness and allergies, and a negative image due to chemically synthesized substances, while UV scattering agents cause skin to appear white and may inhibit skin respiration. Additionally, natural UV-A absorbing substances like mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) are difficult to produce stably and in large quantities using conventional methods.
Innovation Solution
A method for biosynthesizing MAAs extracellularly using microorganisms like Escherichia coli, yeast, actinomycetes, or labyrinthulea, allowing for the recovery of MAAs from the extracellular culture solution, which simplifies purification and increases yield, using specific biosynthetic enzyme genes like amir_4256, amir_4257, and amir_4258.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If MAAs are extracted from natural products such as laver, algae and shellfish, then MAAs can be obtained, but the yield is insufficient and production is unstable due to climate conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical extraction from natural products with microbial biosynthesis. Microorganisms are engineered to produce MAAs through metabolic pathways, substituting the mechanical extraction process with a biological production system that is not constrained by climate conditions and can be controlled in fermentation tanks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the production parameters by controlling microbial growth conditions such as temperature, pH, nutrient composition, and induction conditions to optimize MAA yield. This allows stable and high-yield production independent of external climate factors affecting natural products.
2Productivity
If MAAs are produced by microbial biosynthesis, then production can be controlled, but disruption of cells and extraction with organic solvent is required which complicates the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies extraction by taking out the microbial cells through centrifugation or filtration, separating them from the culture medium. The MAA is then extracted from the cells using organic solvents, simplifying the overall process by removing the complex cell disruption steps required in conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of disrupting cells to release intracellular MAA, the patent uses microbes that secrete MAA extracellularly. This inverts the conventional approach where MAA is contained inside cells, making extraction simpler as the MAA is already in the culture medium and can be obtained through straightforward filtration and concentration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-absorbing agents are used, then UV protection is provided, but they are easily decomposed by light and have poor stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent produces MAAs which are natural compounds with proven UV-absorbing properties and high stability. These natural compounds replace synthetic UV-absorbing agents, combining effective UV protection with superior photostability and resistance to decomposition.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If UV scattering agents are used, then UV protection is provided, but skin looks white and user feels heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses organic MAA compounds that can be applied in low concentrations and provide effective UV protection without the visual burden of inorganic particles. These molecular-level compounds do not scatter light visibly, avoiding the white appearance and heavy feeling associated with particle-based UV filters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables the stable and large-scale production of MAAs, reducing the complexity and cost of conventional methods, and results in a highly purified product suitable for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals as a UV-absorbing agent.
Implementation Method 1
A method for biosynthesizing MAAs extracellularly using microorganisms like Escherichia coli, yeast, actinomycetes, or labyrinthulea
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2
AI summary
Provided are: a method for producing a mycrosporine-like amino acid (MAA) that includes a step in which microbes are cultivated that produce MAA on the outside of bacterial cells, a step in which the bacterial cells and extracellular culture fluid are separated, and a step in which the MAA is recovered from the extracellular culture fluid; an MAA indicated by formula (1), an MAA produced using this method, or an ultraviolet-absorbing composition including the MAA indicated by formula (1); and a composition including the MAA produced using this method or the MAA indicated by formula (1), for preventing at least one symptom or disease selected from a group comprising acute skin reactions, aging of the skin, and skin cancer.