Effects of heavy metals and light levels on the biosynthesis of carotenoids and fatty acids in the macroalgae Gracilaria tenuistipitata (var. liui Zhang & Xia)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

Pinto, E (Author) Other; Carvalho, AP (Author) Other; Morais Cardozo, KHM (Author) Other; F. Xavier Malcata (Author) Other; dos Anjos, FM (Author) Other; Colepicolo, P (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia-Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy

Vol. 21

Pages: 349-354

ISSN: 0102-695X

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 32 Citations

Scopus - 47 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-V0R

DOI: 10.1590/s0102-695x2011005000060

Abstract (EN): We present here the effect of heavy metals and of different light intensities on the biosynthesis of fatty acids and pigments in the macroalga Gracilaria tenuistipitata (var. liui Zhang & Xia). In order to verify the fatty acid content, gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was employed. Pigments (major carotenoids and chlorophyl-a) were monitored by liquid chromatography with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD). Cultures of G. tenuistipitata were exposed to cadmium (Cd(2+), 200 ppb) and copper (Cu(2+), 200 ppb), as well as to different light conditions (low light: 100 mu mol. photons. m-2.s(-1), or high light: 1000 mu mol. photons. m-2.s(-1)). Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) increased the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid content [14: 0, 16: 0, 18: 0, 18: 1 (n-7) and 18: 1 (n-9)] and all major pigments (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, chlorophyll-a and beta-carotene). Both heavy metals decreased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [18: 2 (n-6), 18: 3 (n-6), 18: 5 (n-4), 20: 4 (n-6), 20: 5 (n-3), 22: 6 (n-3)]. G. tenuistipitata cultures were exposed to high light intensity for five days and no statistically significant differences were observed in the content of fatty acids. On the other hand, the levels of pigments rose markedly for chlorophyll-a and all of the carotenoids studied.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6