ABSTRACT
Aim: Antarctic cyanobacteria may represent a potential resource of new and unique compounds with interesting capabilities. Profiling of fatty acids in Antarctic cyanobacteria can provide an overview of potential fatty acids present in them, that can be utilised in future applicationsMethodology: In total, 4 cyanobacteria previously isolated from Antarctic polar ice was used in this study. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene was used to ascertain their identities as Leptolyngbya spp. and their fatty acid profiles were determined using GCMS. Results: Morphologically, these cyanobacteria were found similar to Leptolyngbya sp. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences amplified further confirmed their identity and were designated as Leptolyngbya sp. A, B, D and E. Following fatty acid analysis using GCMS, it was determined that unsaturated fatty acids predominated the fatty acid profiles for Leptolyngbya sp. A, B and D, while saturated fatty acid was found dominant in Leptolyngbya sp. E. Leptolyngbya sp. D contained almost 100% of linoleic acid, whilst Leptolyngbya sp. A and Leptolyngbya sp. B contained 59.35% and 83.33% of linoleic acid, respectively. Besides linoleic acid, palmitoleic acid (18.45%), oleic acid (19.45%) and lauric acid (2.74%) were also present in Leptolyngbya sp. A. As for Leptolyngbya sp. B, other than linoleic acid, only oleic acid (16.67%) was detected. Interpretation: Findings from this study demonstrate that the Antarctic Leptolyngbya spp. A, B and D identified in this study possess high content of unsaturated fatty acids, while only saturated fatty acid was present in Leptolyngbya sp. E. Fatty acid profiles revealed the potential of these Antarctic Leptolyngbya species to be further exploited for other applications.
ABSTRACT
@#Studies on parasite populations in Antarctic soils are scarce and thus little is known about the threat of these parasites towards either the natural fauna or human visitors. However, human presence in Antarctica, mainly through research and tourism, keeps increasing over time, potentially exposing visitors to zoonotic infections from Antarctic wildlife and environment. Most available literature to date has focused on faecal samples from Antarctic vertebrates. Therefore, this study addressed the possible presence of parasites in Antarctic soil that may be infectious to humans. Soil samples were obtained from five locations on Signy Island (South Orkney Islands, maritime Antarctic), namely North Point and Gourlay Peninsula (penguin rookeries), Pumphouse (relic coal-powered pump house), Jane Col (barren high altitude fellfield) and Berntsen Point (low altitude vegetated fellfield close to current research station). Approximately 10% of the soil samples (14/135) from 3 out of the 5 study sites had parasites which included Diphyllobotridae spp. eggs, Cryptosporidium sp., an apicomplexan protozoa (gregarine), Toxoplasma gondii, helminths (a cestode, Tetrabothrius sp., and a nematode larva) and mites. The presence of parasites in the 3 sites are most likely due to the presence of animal and human activities as two of these sites are penguin rookeries (North Point and Gourlay Peninsula) while the third site (Pumphouse Lake) has human activity. While some of the parasite species found in the soil samples appear to be distinctive, there were also parasites such as Cryptosporidium and Toxoplasma gondii that have a global distribution and are potentially pathogenic.