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| Author(s): |
Ernani Pinto Junior
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | São Paulo. , gráficos, ilustrações. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Conjunto das Químicas (IQ e FCF) (CQ/DBDCQ) |
| Defense date: | 2002-08-02 |
| Examining board members: |
Pio Colepicolo Neto;
Ana Campa;
Iolanda Midea Cuccovia;
Norberto Peporine Lopes;
Estela Maria Plastino
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| Advisor: | Pio Colepicolo Neto |
| Field of knowledge: | Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Oceanography |
| Indexed in: | Banco de Dados Bibliográficos da USP-DEDALUS |
| Location: | Universidade de São Paulo. Biblioteca do Conjunto das Químicas; 589.31921; P659m |
| Abstract | |
Environmental stress on marine algae is provoked by pollutants, lack of nutrients, temperature oscillation or high light. Although some researchers have investigated environmental stress effects on marine animais ecology, lately, however, few groups have studied its effects on marine algae physiology, i.e. carotenoid function and biosynthesis and fatty acids contents. Thus, the in vitro activity, such as the quenching of 02 (1ΔG) (KQ) and the reduction of liposome peroxidation incorporated with carotenoids, of some pigments founded in algae were determined as well as the their biosynthesis when some species were growth under stressful condition, for example, heavy metal exposition (Gracilaria tenuistipitata and Lingulodinium polyedrum), cell density (Amphidinium cartareae, Nitzschia microcephala, Lingulodinium polyedrum, Minutocellus polymorphus and Tetraselmis gracilis) and high light (Lingulodinium polyedrum). In addition, some parameters of oxidative stress and enzymatic markers of oxidative metabolism such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyls and thiols contents, were measured. Some carotenes (β-carotene and licopene), xanthophylls (peridinin, lutein, diadinoxanthin, diatoxanthin, etc) and three chlorophylls (a, b and c) were identified either by 1H NMR and MS or standards spiked in HPLC in the species studied. Also, using HPLC techniques, we studied the thiamine interconversion identifying three forms of this vitamin (free, mono- and diphosphate). The KQs obtained for peridinin, isolated from Lingulodinium polyedrum, using two solvent systems (CDCl3: 0,95 x 109 M-1.s-1 and D20/CD3COCD3 1:1: 5,0 x 109 M-1.s-1) suggest this pigment is more effective against the deleterious effects of O2 (1Δg) in hydrophilic environment. Peridinin and astaxanthin incorporated to liposomes filled with Fe2+/EDTA decreased the lipoperoxidation when H202 e t-ButOOH were added, showing that their function depending on the peroxidation promoters permeability through the membrane. Also, both carotenoids were able to protect the membrane when the lipoperoxidation was promoted outside. The fatty acid contents measured in cultures of L. polyedrum during the light:dark cycle suggest that the increase of C18:3 and C22:6 levels during the light phase occurred to compensate the lipoperoxidation, since the levels of MDA were high in the same phase, and to keep the membrane integrity and cell homeostasis. The levels of C20:4 (n-6) increased about 30% when cultures of G. tenuistipitata were exposed to Cd2+ may be to preserve the cell membranes in response to misbalance caused by this heavy metal. On the other hand, the levels of C20:4 (n-6) decreased almost 15% during the treatment with Cu2+, showing an evidence that this metal can affect the tilakoid membranes. The fatty acid C18:3 (n-4) was only detected in the assay with Cu2+. The carotenoid biosynthesis results bring new perspectives concerning the comprehension of the biochemistry and physiology mechanisms employed by marine algae against stressful environmental conditions. Different responses were founded for the carotenoid contents, showing that the biosynthesis and the activity of the enzymes involved in the oxidative metabolism can vary according to species or stimuli used. (AU) | |