Hypnea musciformis (Wulfen) J. V. Lamour. (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) responses to gasoline short-term exposure: biochemical and cellular alterations

Abstract

Presence of toxic compounds in marine coastal waters has increased exponentially since Industrial Revolution. In this way, we aimed to evaluate biochemical and physiological changes occurring within Hypnea musciformis after short-term exposure to gasoline. Hypnea musciformis was cultivated without gasoline and then exposed to various concentrations of it (0.001 %-1.0 %, v/v) for periods of 30 min, 1 h, 12 h and 24 h. A Pricncipal Compound Analysis of UV-vis spectral window (200-700 nm) was able to discriminate gasoline-exposed samples according to both exposure time and gasoline concentration. Changes in carotenoid profile composition were observed. Decreased carotenoid content was associated to gasoline exposure time, being lutein and trans-β-carotene the major compounds found. Higher gasoline concentrations negatively interfered with phenolic compounds accumulation. In addition, increased gasoline concentrations corresponded to decreased intracellular starch grains content as well as increased its deposition on cell wall external surface. Data obtained allow us to conclude that gasoline can damage Hypnea musciformis physiology and cell morphology. This is important, considering Hypnea musciformis carotenoids and phenolics are potential biomarkers of environmental stress investigated, as well as its increased cell wall thickness to avoid gasoline diffusion.

Physiological changes and rate of resistance of Acrosiphonia arcta (Dillwyn) Gain upon exposure to diesel fuel

“…Also, a study with Hypnea musciformis carotenoids demonstrated that chlorophyll concentration increased in 30 min and 12 h and decreased in 1 and 24 h of DF exposure (Ramlov et al, 2014). Similar changes in these algae were reported after their exposure to various petroleum concentrations (Ramlov et al, 2019). In our current study, no increase in the concentration of carotenoids in the presence of DF was observed.…”

Cartilha ilustrativa sobre cultivo de macroalgas marinhas sob condições de laboratório

“…Ojetivo do cultivo: estudar as alterações bioquímicas e fisiológicas que ocorrem após uma curta exposição à gasolina (Ramlov et al 2019).…”

“…(5) Hypnea musciformis (Ramlov et al, 2019), SC/SC. Entre as macroalgas cultivadas em laboratório no Brasil destacam-se as algas pertencentes aos gêneros Gracilaria, Kappaphycus, Gracilariopsis, Laurencia, Hypnea, Pyropia, Dictyota, Sargassum e Ulva.…”