Effects of sodium chloride on the fatty acids composition in Boekelovia hooglandii (Ochromonadales, Chrysophyceae)

Abstract

SUMMARY Composition of fatty acids in Boekelovia hooglandii Nicolai et Baas Becking (Chrysophyceae) was investigated as a function of salinity. It was confirmed by gas chromatography that the composition of fatty acids in cells cultured in a 50 mmol L−1 NaCl medium consisted of C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C18:4, C20:0, C20:4, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6, in which C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:4, C20:0, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6 were main constituents. When the cells were cultured in a medium with different concentrations of NaCl ranging from 50 to 800 mmol L−1, the mole percentage of fatty acids such as C14:0, C16:0 and C16:1 decreased with increases in the salinity, while the mole percentage of highly polyunsaturated fatty acids such as C18:4, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6 increased. When the cells were transferred from a 200 mmol L−1 NaCl medium to a 600 mmol L−1 NaCl medium, a decrease in mole percentage of C14:0, C16:0 and C16:1, and an increase in C18:4, C20:5, C22:5 and C22:6 were observed within 4 h. However, no change in the compositions of fatty acids was observed within 4 h when the cells were transferred from a 600 mmol L−1 NaCl medium to a 200 mmol L−1 NaCl one. The increase in the content of highly polyunsaturated fatty acids was considered to reflect the rapid response to upshock and to be the characteristic of salt tolerance in B. hooglandii.

Changes in fatty acids composition, hydrogen peroxide generation and lipid peroxidation of salt-stressed corn (Zea mays L.) roots

“…Similar saturation increases have been observed in other species under salt stress (Surjus and Durand 1996;Elenkov et al 1996). The increased proportions of saturated FA in roots of maize varieties could be an adaptive mechanism, because they lower the cell membrane permeability (Fujii et al 2001). The trend of increase in lipid saturation was more pronounced in Aristo indicating the higher stress sensitivity of this variety compared to Arper.…”

“…However, it is worthy to ask whether and how the salt-induced oxidative stress changed the fatty acids composition of roots and what the, respectively, related signs of sensitivity and tolerance of Aristo and Arper are. In past studies, it has been postulated that one of the primary mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress was linked to the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in membrane lipids (Cachorro et al 1993;Fujii et al 2001). This suggestion was also supported by the findings that the application of exogenous fatty acids could attenuate saltinduced injury in roots of barley seedlings (Zhao and Qin 2005).…”

Role of the Plasma Membrane in Saline Conditions: Lipids and Proteins

“…NaCl stress increased saturation of the root PM fatty acids in salt sensitive soybean (Surjus and Durand, 1996). The increase in membrane fatty acid saturation was also greater in salt sensitive corn roots (Hajlaoui et al, 2009) and in alga Boekelova hooglandii (Fujii et al, 2001) in response to salinity. Both studies report that one of the primary mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress is linked to the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in membrane lipids.…”

Oil content and lipid composition of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) irrigated with saline water under greenhouse and field conditions

“…Salinity is one of the most important environmental factors that modifies fatty acid composition, and is considered to be important in salt tolerance of plants (Malkit et al , 2002). In past studies, it has been postulated that one of the primary mechanisms of adaptation to salt stress was linked to the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids in membrane lipids (Cachorro et al , 1993; Fujii et al , 2001). Significant changes in the content of linoleic acid were observed in oil obtained from the seeds in the greenhouse or in the field.…”