Contribution to the bioprospecting of actinomycetes associated with marine invertebrates of the Colombian Caribbean Sea : Characterization of the photoprotective potential of active strains

Abstract

The harmful effects of prolonged exposure to solar UV radiation are associated with various morbid conditions that primarily affect the skin (e.g., photoaging, melasma, psoriasis, skin cancers). Given that climate change has, directly and indirectly, impacted higher rates of these UV-induced diseases, it is imperative to adopt photoprotection measures. Among several measures, the daily use of sunscreen is highly recommended. However, increasing evidence is being accumulated on the adverse effects of UV filters (active ingredients in sunscreens) on human and environmental health. This scenario has established a need to search for new compounds with photoprotective properties that can serve as alternatives for formulating safer and eco-friendly sunscreens. In this sense, the search for natural resources continues to be a very promising option. Recently, there has been increased attention to the bioprospecting of microorganisms. This is due to the options that have emerged with the development of areas such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, media engineering, and bioinformatics, among other related fields. Another aspect to highlight that has encouraged research on microorganisms is the search to meet the Sustainable Development Goals, which have been found in microbial biotechnology as a valuable opportunity to pursue them. In this respect, the results of various research groups that have focused on marine biotechnology (also known as blue biotechnology) have demonstrated a hidden potential that requires further exploration. This doctoral dissertation aims to contribute to the knowledge gap on the potential of Colombian marine biodiversity to find renewable bioresources of compounds with photoprotection-related activities. It is focused on actinomycetes associated with the sponge Cliona varians and the octocoral Eunicea fusca.