Partial characterization, UV-induction and photoprotective function of sunscreen pigment, scytonemin from Rivularia sp. HKAR-4

•HPLC/LC–MS analysis revealed the presence of scytonemin in the cyanobacterium Rivularia sp.•UV radiation can induce the synthesis of scytonemin.•Scytonemin can detoxify in vivo reactive oxygen species generated by UV radiation.•Scytonemin can inhibit UV-mediated thymine dimer formation. Scytonemin, located in the extracellular polysaccharide sheath of some cyanobacterial species is considered an efficient natural photoprotectant against lethal doses of ultraviolet (UV) radiations. In the present study, scytonemin from the cyanobacterium Rivularia sp. HKAR-4 was partially characterized and investigated for its induction by UV radiation as well as its role in photoprotection. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with photodiode-array detection studies revealed the presence of an UV-absorbing compound with absorption maximum at 386nm. Based on its absorption spectrum and ion trap liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis, the compound was confirmed as scytonemin. In comparison to photosynthetically active radiation, a significant induction in the synthesis of scytonemin was found under UV-stress. Scytonemin also exhibited efficient photoprotective ability by detoxifying the in vivo reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by UV radiation and by reducing the formation of thymine dimers. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the UV-screening effects of scytonemin on in vivo ROS generation and thymine dimer formation in any cyanobacterial strain. Based on these findings, we conclude that scytonemin may play a vital role in the survival and sustainability of cyanobacterial life in adverse environmental conditions such as under high solar irradiances.