The centuries-old Bras del Port Saltworks, a vital ecosystem on the Mediterranean coast, are once again in the spotlight of scientific innovation. A recent study published in Scientific Reports has revealed the promising potential of bacterioruberin, a pigment derived from a microorganism called Haloferax mediterranei, in the fight against myeloid leukaemia. This breakthrough underlines the importance of preserving and studying unique natural environments like our saltworks, which act as authentic biological laboratories.
The Origin of the Research: The Bras del Port Connection
The research highlights that the Haloferax mediterranei strain used in this pioneering study has its roots in samples taken from the Bras del Port Saltworks, as this halophilic archaea (organisms that need high salinity environments to live) resides in the lagoons of our saltworks. This fact fills us with satisfaction, as it confirms the value of our environment not only for the production of high-quality sea salt but also as an invaluable source of microbial biodiversity with biotechnological and biomedical applications.
Key Advances in the Fight Against Leukaemia
The study, led by a multidisciplinary team, has shown that bacterioruberin-rich carotenoid extract (BRCE) from Haloferax mediterranei is capable of inducing apoptosis (programmed cell death) and arresting the cell cycle in myeloid leukaemia cell lines, while also demonstrating remarkable selectivity by minimizing effects on normal blood cells. These findings open new avenues for the development of more targeted and less toxic therapies against this disease.
Acknowledgements and Collaboration in Science
From Bras del Port, we want to express our profound gratitude to all the researchers involved in this significant project. In particular, we extend our gratitude to the esteemed Dr. Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, from the Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies “Ramón Margalef” (IMEM) at the University of Alicante, whose knowledge and dedication have been fundamental in carrying out this research and highlighting the potential of microorganisms from extreme environments.
This milestone reinforces the importance of collaboration within our network and between industry and academia to drive innovation and demonstrate how natural resources can be key to tomorrow’s discoveries. At Bras del Port, we will continue to support the research emerging from our ecosystems, recognizing that every grain of salt and every drop of water from our sea saltworks can harbor great opportunities to face global health challenges.
