Analysis of the biochemical effects of Brazilians red macroalgae species exposed to cadmium

• Grant number: 18/10216-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: January 01, 2019
• End date: February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography - Biological Oceanography
• Principal Investigator: Pio Colepicolo Neto
• Grantee: Luiza de Araujo Motta
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 16/06931-4 - Biodiversity of marine algae and metabolites of economical impact, AP.BTA.TEM

Abstract

Algae were and still are fundamental organisms for the evolution of terrestrial life, mainly because they are important producers of O2 and organic matter. These organisms are responsible for half of the total global photosynthetic activity. In addition, algae play an important role in energy transformations, in nutrient recycling and represent the basis of the food chain in aquatic environments. Because of these ecological functions performed by marine algae, these organisms have been studied for their capacity of being used in biomonitoring and bioremediation of the environment, which is attributable to a greater application of environmental conservation. The microalgae species Gracilaria domingenses, Gracilaria caudata and Hypnea spinella will be grown in natural sea water (26oC) enriched with von Stoch/2 solution and exposed to a photoperiod of 14h:10h (light: dark). With the elaboration of the cultivar growth for each specie, a toxicological assay will be performed (for 48h) for the determination of the LD50 of each tested polluting (Cd and paracetamol). After the LD50 value being set, an unique specie will be selected to be collected at its marine environment, based on its capacity of bioremediation (higher LD50) or biomonitoring (lower LD50). The collected macroalgae will be analysed in the parameters of its photosynthetic capacity, the production of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized (GSSG) and phytochelatins (for Cd) by LC-MS, the activity of the enzyme Glutathione Reductase (by the oxidation of NADPH measured at 340nm) and the presence of volatile metabolites through the GC equipment -MS. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MOTTA, Luiza de Araujo. Effect of cadmium (Cd2+) on the metabolome and physiology of Brazilian red macroalgae. 2021. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) São Paulo.