ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

First insights on chemical nature and bioactivity of surface mucus from the Antarctic sponges Mycale (Oxymycale) acerata and Dendrilla antarctica

Carmen Rizzo, Josè Paulo da Silva, Chiara Lauritano, Eleonora Montuori, Maria Papale, and Angelina Lo Giudice

Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology Department, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Sicily Marine Centre, Messina, Italy

E-mail: carmen.rizzo@szn.it

Received: 23 July 2025  Accepted: 22 December 2025

Abstract:

The mucus produced by the Antarctic sponge species Mycale (Oxymycale) acerata and Dendrilla antarctica was analyzed to investigate its chemical composition and assess potential cytotoxic activity against human tumor cell lines. The mucus samples exhibited a high-water content (98–99%), while inorganic salts represented most of the total dry weight (67.1 ± 2.3%). Sodium was the most abundant element, accounting for 75% in D. antarctica and up to 82% in M. acerata. Other major elements—including magnesium, potassium, and calcium—comprised 3–10% of the inorganic fraction. Protein content was estimated at 0.44% for M. acerata and 5.63% for D. antarctica, with a carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio between 3 and 5. Elemental analysis was supported by µFT-IR spectroscopy, which confirmed the presence of inorganic salts, water, and proteinaceous materials. Further characterization by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and LC–MS revealed the presence of amino acids, peptides, sugars, carboxylic acids, nitrogenous bases, and their derivatives. Notably, oxylipin concentrations ranged between 1 and 3 ng/L. In addition, M. acerata mucus demonstrated antiproliferative activity, selectively inhibiting the growth of Malme-3 M melanoma cell lines, thus suggesting a potential for cytotoxic effects. Overall, these findings provide the first chemical characterization of Antarctic sponge mucus, providing first insights for its potential exploitation as a novel source of bioactive compounds.

Keywords: Antarctic; Mycale acerata; Dendrilla antarctica; Mucus; Chemical analysis; Bioactivity; Melanoma

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04615-2

Chemical Papers 80 (5) 5163–5176 (2026)