Effects of heavy metals and light levels on the biosynthesis of carotenoids and fatty acids in the macroalgae Gracilaria tenuistipitata (var. liui Zhang & Xia)
Rev. bras. farmacogn
;
21(2): 349-354, mar.-abr. 2011. graf
Article
in English
| LILACS
| ID: lil-590184
ABSTRACT
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 (Cd2+, 200 ppb) and copper (Cu2+, 200 ppb), as well as to different light conditions (low light 100 µmol.photons.m-2.s-1, or high light 1000 µmol.photons.m-2.s-1). Cd2+ and Cu2+ increased the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid content [140, 160, 180, 181 (n-7) and 181 (n-9)] and all major pigments (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, chlorophyll-a and β-carotene). Both heavy metals decreased the levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [182 (n-6), 183 (n-6), 185 (n-4), 204 (n-6), 205 (n-3), 226 (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.
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Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Language:
English
Journal:
Rev. bras. farmacogn
Journal subject:
Pharmacy
Year:
2011
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil
/
Portugal
Institution/Affiliation country:
Fleury Group/BR
/
Universidade de São Paulo/BR
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