Production of sunscreen from Chlorella vulgaris

Producción de protector solar a partir de Chlorella vulgaris

Microalgae are potential candidates for the development of safe and environmentally friendly photoprotectors since they can produce metabolites rich in UV filter (β carotenoids and myco-porins) because they are found in ecological niches that allow them to develop pigments to capture light. In this work, Chlorella vulgaris was implemented in the production of a laboratory-scale sunscreen. This was grown in two photobioreactors in the medium of Bold Basal cultivation for 42 days, with continuous pneumatic agitation, pH between 8-9 and temperature between 17 °C and 19 °C. The light intensity supply was continuous and of red LED light and white LED light type for the first crop and the second crop, respectively. Cell growth, growth rate, dry weight, productivity and concentration of β carotenoids and mycosporins were evaluated. For the formulation of sunscreen, dry microalgal biomass was used as a UV filter and the prototype was evaluated with its physical, organoleptic properties and sun protection factor through in vitro method. White LED light increased the growth rate and productivity of the microalgae. The concentration of mycosporins increased in the first culture and the concentration of β carotenoids was affected by the intensity of light, showing higher light intensity, greater production of these photoprotective molecules. The SPF was 7.74 which classifies the sunscreen as a medium protection. The results obtained in this work demonstrate the potential of Chlorella vulgaris to be used in the production of biological sunscreens.

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