Growth and accumulation of carotenoids and nitrogen compounds in Gracilaria domingensis (Kütz.) Sonder ex Dickie (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) cultured under different irradiance and nutrient levels

Abstract

Effects of the interaction of irradiance and nutrient levels on growth and contents of photosynthetic pigments, carotenoids and proteins in Gracilaria domingensis (Kütz.) Sonder ex Dickie (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) were investigated experimentally. Nutrient availability provided by dilutions of the nutrient solution of von Stosch (25 and 50%, which corresponded to nitrate concentrations of 125 and 250 μmol, respectively) and two photon flux densities [low PFD (50±5) and high PFD (100±5) μmol photons m -2 s -1 ] were tested. Growth rates of G. domingensis were stimulated by high PFD. The interaction between high nutrient availability (50% VSES) and high PFD stimulated the accumulation of total soluble protein.Phycobiliprotein concentrations (phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin) and carotenoid contents were influenced by irradiance levels. Phycobiliprotein concentrations were higher at low PFD and high irradiances stimulated carotenoid accumulation. These results reflect the function of these pigments in photoprotection and the acclimation of G. domingensis to changes in irradiance levels. Our results indicate that light is a limiting factor for G. domingensis growth, that variations in phycobiliprotein contents under different irradiance levels are related to photoacclimation process, and that higher carotenoid contents at high irradiances are due to a photoprotection mechanism.

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation (UV‐A+UV‐B) on the Antioxidant Metabolism of the Red Macroalga Species Acanthophora spicifera (Rhodophyta, Ceramiales) From Different Salinity and Nutrient Conditions

“…, Desmarestia menziesii J.Agardh and Ascoseira mirabilis Skottsberg , providing evidence that algae in shallow waters respond better to UV radiation than those residing in deeper, more protected waters. Similar results were observed in Gracilaria domingensis (Kützing) Sonder ex Dickie exposed to different levels of radiation . Second, the uptake and assimilation of nutrients by point 1 macroalga seems to be better than that observed in point 2 macroalgae.…”

Depth influence on biochemical performance and thallus size of the red alga Gelidium corneum

“…As a result, photoacclimation of macrophytes to high irradiance levels typically involves high antioxidant activities and increases in photoprotective compounds such as carotenoids (Celis-Plá et al, 2016;Ji et al, 2016). These latter pigments play an essential role in photoprotection due to their ability to quench ROS (Ramlov et al, 2011;Wu, 2016) and dissipate excess energy as heat (Wiencke & Bischof, 2012). tensities can result from photodamage to antioxidant machinery (Aguilera, Bischof, Karsten, Hanelt, & Wiencke, 2002;Foyer & Mullineaux, 1994).…”

“…Under radiation stress, the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and photosynthetic pigment conentrations are used to determine the biochemical performance of macroalgae (Celis-Plá et al, 2016;Figueroa, Domínguez-González, & Korbee, 2014a;Stengel et al, 2014). Increasing irradiance levels enhance the production and accumulation of ROS, which leads to a subsequent increase in antioxidant activity (Celis-Plá et al, 2016;Ji, Xu, Zou, & Gao, 2016) and in photoprotective compounds such as carotenoids (Ramlov et al, 2011;Wu, 2016). The increase in antioxidant activity is thus interpreted as an increase in environmental stress caused by changes in the factors controlling photosynthesis such as excess light (Figueroa et al, 2014b).…”

Antioxidant and Photoprotective Activity of Brown Seaweed from North Sulawesi Coast

“…Among brown algae, several secondary metabolites might be used for photoprotective purposes, such as phenolic compounds 39 , carotenoids 40,41 , and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs). The synthesis of photoprotective compounds in brown algae may be regulated by extrinsic factors such as UV radiation and PAR.…”