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The effect of exogenously applied natural [indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), phenylacetic acid (PAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA)] and synthetic [1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA)] auxins on the growth and metabolism of green microalga Chlorella vulgaris was examined. Exogenous auxins acted in a concentration-dependent manner on algal growth. Phytohormones at concentration of 100 lM inhibited algal growth expressed as the number of cells. IAA and IBA displayed the highest biological activity at 0.1 lM, whereas PAA and NAA were characterized by the greatest stimulatory effect on the number of cells at 1 lM. Treatment with IAA and IBA at 0.1 lM or NAA and PAA at 1 lM increased the concentration of photosynthetic pigments, monosaccharides and soluble proteins in C. vulgaris. Moreover, all auxins stimulated enzymatic (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase) and non-enzymatic antioxidant (ascorbate, glutathione) systems in C. vulgaris, and therefore, suppressed lipid peroxidation and hydrogen peroxide accumulation. The data supports the hypothesis that auxins play a central role in the regulation of C. vulgaris growth and metabolism and the components of cellular redox systems that are thought to have a prominent role in the regulation of auxindependent processes.

Green unicellular alga Acutodesmus obliquus (Turpin) Hegewald et Hanagata (SAG strain no. 276-6) (Chlorophyceae) was used for determination of phytotoxicity of lead (Pb) at the range of concentrations 0.01-500 μM during 7 days of culture. The accumulation of Pb in algal cells was found to be increased in a concentration- and duration-dependent manner. The highest Pb uptake value was obtained in response to 500 μM Pb on the seventh day of cultivation. The decrease in the number and the size of cells and the contents of selected primary metabolites (photosynthetic pigments, monosaccharides, and proteins) in A. obliquus cells were observed under Pb stress. Heavy metal stimulated also formation of reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide) and oxidative damage as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation. On the other hand, the deleterious effects of Pb resulting from the cellular oxidative state can be alleviated by enzymatic (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymatic (ascorbate, glutathione) antioxidant systems. These results suggest that A. obliquus is a promising bioindicator of heavy metal toxicity in aquatic environment, and it has been identified as good scavenger of Pb from aqueous solution.

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