Chemical synthesis route of making the cyanobacterial pigment scytonemin and various analogs

Background

Scytonemin is a natural sunscreen pigment, potent antioxidant, and tyrosinase inhibitor that is being commercially explored as a UV protectant and as a therapeutic for skin pigment diseases and melanoma. It is produced by a variety of cyanobacteria taxa, with phylogenetic estimates indicating its production by some of the crown species of cyanobacteria. Localized almost exclusively to the extracellular polysaccharide sheath (EPS) of cyanobacteria, Scytonemin provides strong broadband UV absorption and antioxidant properties. However, naturally sourced Scytonemin is difficult to obtain in large quantities, and existing synthetic methods are not scalable. This limits its broader use in UV protective products. There is a clear need for a scalable method to produce Scytonemin with higher yields, enabling the development of derivatives with enhanced UV protective properties, solubilities, and other beneficial characteristics.

Technology Overview

Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have developed a scalable method for synthesizing Scytonemin using low-cost starting materials and a more efficient process. This method offers:

• Higher yields and improved formulations (enhanced stabilization and creation of structural analogs)
• Cost-effective and Faster synthesis process
• Greater scalability compared to existing methods

Benefits

• Lower production costs combined with higher yields make this method commercially viable
• Creation of new derivatives expands the application range for Scytonemin and related compounds

Applications

• Cellular protection: Ultraviolet radiation and oxidation resistance
• Cosmetics and therapeutics: Ideal for cosmetic formulations and therapeutic uses
• Dermatology: Effective in treating pigment-related diseases and potentially aiding skin cancer treatments

Opportunity

This technology is available for licensing. The University of Nevada, Reno seeks partners for collaboration in further development, evaluation, or commercialization.