Ectoine (3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) is a natural compound found in several species of bacteria. It is a compatible solute which serves as a protective substance by acting as an osmolyte and thus helps organisms survive extreme osmotic stress.
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Brevibacterium linens
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Halomonas elongata
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Marinococcus halophilus
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Pseudomonas stutzeri
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Halomonas titanicae
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Halorhodospira halophila
["HAMAP: Halorhodospira halophila (strain DSM 244 / SL1) (Ectothiorhodospira halophila (strain DSM 244 / SL1)) complete proteome ExPASy Proteomics Server. Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics http://hamap.expasy.org/proteomes/HALHL.html]
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Halomonas ventosae
Biosynthesis
Ectoine is synthesized in three successive enzymatic reactions starting from aspartic β-semialdehyde. The genes involved in the biosynthesis are called
ectA,
ectB and
ectC, and they encode the enzymes L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid acetyltransferase, L-2,4-diaminobutyric acid transaminase and
Ectoine synthase, respectively.
Use in cosmetics
Ectoine is used as an active ingredient in
skin care and
Sunscreen products.
It stabilizes
and other cellular structures and protects the skin from stresses like
UV irradiation and dryness.
Medical use
Due to its protein stabilizing properties, ectoine has been evaluated as a topical treatment for
Hay Fever. Effectiveness of a nasal spray containing ectoine is comparable to
Cromoglicic acid and is reported to be well tolerated by the patients.
It is available over the counter in the European Union.
