PHYCOBILIN CONTENT OF THE CONCHOCELIS PHASE OF ALASKAN PORPHYRA (BANGIALES, RHODOPHYTA) SPECIES: RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES¹

Abstract

Variations of pigment content in the microscopic conchocelis stage of four Alaskan Porphyra species were investigated in response to environmental variables. Conchocelis filaments were cultured under varying conditions of irradiance and nutrient concentrations for up to 60 d at 11°C and 30 psu salinity. Results indicate that conchocelis filaments contain relatively high concentrations of phycobilins under optimal culture conditions. Phycobilin pigment production was significantly affected by irradiance, nutrient concentration, and culture duration. For Porphyra abbottiae V. Krishnam., Porphyra sp., and Porphyra torta V. Krishnam., maximal phycoerythrin (63.2-95.1 mg · g dwt(-1) ) and phycocyanin (28.8-64.8 mg · g dwt(-1) ) content generally occurred at 10 μmol photons · m(-2) · s(-1) , f/4-f/2 nutrient concentration after 10-20 d of culture. Whereas for Porphyra hiberna S. C. Lindstrom et K. M. Cole, the highest phycoerythrin (73.3 mg · g dwt(-1) ) and phycocyanin (70.2 mg · g dwt(-1) ) content occurred at 10 μmol photons · m(-2) · s(-1) , f nutrient concentration after 60 d in culture. Under similar conditions, the different species showed significant differences in pigment content. P. abbottiae had higher phycoerythrin content than the other three species, and P. hiberna had the highest phycocyanin content. P. torta had the lowest phycobilin content.

Seasonal Photosynthesis, Respiration, and Calcification of a Temperate Maërl Bed in Southern Portugal

“…In contrast, under experimental conditions, Noisette et al (2013) found that the chlorophyll a concentration of the temperate rhodolith algae Lithothamnion corallioides was unaffected by temperature, while carotenoid concentration decreased with temperature. The interaction of environmental variables such as irradiance, nutrients (Lin and Stekoll, 2011), and temperature (Kim et al, 2007), has an effect on pigment production. However, previous studies have found that the biochemical response to these variables is highly species specific (see Kim et al, 2007;Lin and Stekoll, 2011;Stengel et al, 2014).…”

“…The interaction of environmental variables such as irradiance, nutrients (Lin and Stekoll, 2011), and temperature (Kim et al, 2007), has an effect on pigment production. However, previous studies have found that the biochemical response to these variables is highly species specific (see Kim et al, 2007;Lin and Stekoll, 2011;Stengel et al, 2014).…”

“…The lowest phycocyanin and phycoerythrin concentrations were also observed in winter of 2014-2015, and in spring of 2014, when the temperatures were low, but these pigments increased during the warmer seasons (summer and autumn of 2013, and summer of 2015). The phycobilins phycoerythrin and phycocyanin are the main light-harvesting pigments in marine red algae (Beer and Eshel, 1985;Lin and Stekoll, 2011). Also, when nitrogen supply becomes limiting, phycobilin pigments may be used as nitrogen reserves for growth and other physiological processes (Lin and Stekoll, 2011).…”

Factors affecting spore germination in algae — review

“…They probably promote cell enlargement, cell division or have some other cellular and molecular effects. IAA at 0.4 ppm, and kinetin at 0.8 ppm promoted the growth of Porphyra conchocelis stage (Lin and Stekoll 2007).…”

Marine macroalgae of the Aleutian Islands: I. Bangiales

“…These studies were carried out primarily on material from Sunshine Cove, hence the decision to select a specimen from that location rather than the Aleutian Islands as the type of the species. called this species Unknown #2, and Lin and Stekoll (2011), Porphyra sp.…”