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Wacker A, Piepho M, Harwood JL, Guschina IA, Arts MT. Light-Induced Changes in Fatty Acid Profiles of Specific Lipid Classes in Several Freshwater Phytoplankton Species. Front Plant Sci 2016; 7:264. [PMID: 27014290 PMCID: PMC4792871 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We tested the influence of two light intensities [40 and 300 μmol PAR / (m(2)s)] on the fatty acid composition of three distinct lipid classes in four freshwater phytoplankton species. We chose species of different taxonomic classes in order to detect potentially similar reaction characteristics that might also be present in natural phytoplankton communities. From samples of the bacillariophyte Asterionella formosa, the chrysophyte Chromulina sp., the cryptophyte Cryptomonas ovata and the zygnematophyte Cosmarium botrytis we first separated glycolipids (monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol, and sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol), phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylserine) as well as non-polar lipids (triacylglycerols), before analyzing the fatty acid composition of each lipid class. High variation in the fatty acid composition existed among different species. Individual fatty acid compositions differed in their reaction to changing light intensities in the four species. Although no generalizations could be made for species across taxonomic classes, individual species showed clear but small responses in their ecologically-relevant omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in terms of proportions and of per tissue carbon quotas. Knowledge on how lipids like fatty acids change with environmental or culture conditions is of great interest in ecological food web studies, aquaculture, and biotechnology, since algal lipids are the most important sources of omega-3 long-chain PUFA for aquatic and terrestrial consumers, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Wacker
- Theoretical Aquatic Ecology and Ecophysiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of PotsdamPotsdam, Germany
- *Correspondence: Alexander Wacker
| | - Maike Piepho
- Department for Ecology, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of RostockRostock, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael T. Arts
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson UniversityToronto, ON, Canada
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Piepho M, Arts MT, Wacker A. SPECIES-SPECIFIC VARIATION IN FATTY ACID CONCENTRATIONS OF FOUR PHYTOPLANKTON SPECIES: DOES PHOSPHORUS SUPPLY INFLUENCE THE EFFECT OF LIGHT INTENSITY OR TEMPERATURE?(1). J Phycol 2012; 48:64-73. [PMID: 27009651 DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2011.01103.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We tested, in the laboratory, the influence of light intensity, temperature, and phosphorus (P) supply on fatty acid (FA) concentrations of four freshwater algae: the green algae Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Bréb. and Chlamydomonas globosa J. Snow, the cryptophyte Cryptomonas ovata Ehrenb., and the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana Kütz. We investigated the main and interactive effects of two variables on algal FA concentrations (i.e., light intensity and P supply or temperature and P supply). Interactive effects of light intensity and P supply were most pronounced in C. meneghiniana, but were also found in S. quadricauda and C. ovata. Changes in several saturated and unsaturated FA concentrations with light were more distinct in the low-P treatments than in the high-P treatments. Interactive effects of temperature and P supply on various FA concentrations were observed in all four species, but there was no consistent pattern. In lake ecosystems, P limitation often coincides with high light intensities and temperatures in summer. Therefore, it is important to examine how combinations of these environmental conditions affect FA concentrations of primary producers that are important sources of FAs for higher trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Piepho
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, GermanyEnvironment Canada, National Water Research Institute, 867 Lakeshore Road, PO Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, CanadaInstitute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Michael T Arts
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, GermanyEnvironment Canada, National Water Research Institute, 867 Lakeshore Road, PO Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, CanadaInstitute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Alexander Wacker
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, GermanyEnvironment Canada, National Water Research Institute, 867 Lakeshore Road, PO Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4A6, CanadaInstitute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Am Neuen Palais 10, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
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Piepho M, Martin-Creuzburg D, Wacker A. Simultaneous effects of light intensity and phosphorus supply on the sterol content of phytoplankton. PLoS One 2010; 5:e15828. [PMID: 21209879 PMCID: PMC3013121 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0015828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 11/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol profiles of microalgae and their change with environmental conditions are of great interest in ecological food web research and taxonomic studies alike. Here, we investigated effects of light intensity and phosphorus supply on the sterol content of phytoplankton and assessed potential interactive effects of these important environmental factors on the sterol composition of algae. We identified sterol contents of four common phytoplankton genera, Scenedesmus, Chlamydomonas, Cryptomonas and Cyclotella, and analysed the change in sterol content with varying light intensities in both a high-phosphorus and a low-phosphorus approach. Sterol contents increased significantly with increasing light in three out of four species. Phosphorus-limitation reversed the change of sterol content with light intensity, i.e., sterol content decreased with increasing light at low phosphorus supply. Generally sterol contents were lower in low-phosphorus cultures. In conclusion, both light and phosphorus conditions strongly affect the sterol composition of algae and hence should be considered in ecological and taxonomic studies investigating the biochemical composition of algae. Data suggest a possible sterol limitation of growth and reproduction of herbivorous crustacean zooplankton during summer when high light intensities and low phosphorus supply decrease sterol contents of algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Piepho
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Theoretical Aquatic Ecology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
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