Enzyme Discovery Opens a New Route to Natural UV-Absorbing Saclipins
Researchers have identified a novel enzymatic pathway responsible for the biosynthesis of saclipins A and B, unique ultraviolet-absorbing oxylipins found in the edible freshwater cyanobacterium Aphanothece sacrum, traditionally known as Suizenji-nori in Japan. These compounds have long captured scientific interest for their remarkable protective properties against UV radiation, yet their scarcity in nature hindered broader commercial applications. By unlocking the biochemical mechanisms behind saclipin production, this breakthrough paves the way for scalable bio-manufacturing. It offers a promising avenue for developing sustainable, natural UV filters that could eventually replace or complement synthetic ingredients in the cosmetics and materials science industries.