Effects of iron concentration on pigment composition in Phaeocystis antarctica grown at low irradiance

Interpretation of photosynthetic pigment data using iterative programs such as CHEMTAX are widely used to examine algal community structure in the surface ocean. The accuracy of such programs relies on understanding the effects of environmental parameters on the pigment composition of taxonomically diverse algal groups. Phaeocystis antarctica is an important contributor to total autotrophic production and the biogeochemical cycling of carbon and sulfur in the Southern Ocean. Here we report the results of a laboratory culture experiment in which we examined the effects of ambient dissolved iron concentration on the pigment composition of colonial P. antarctica, using a new P. antarctica strain isolated from the southern Ross Sea in December 2003. Low-iron (<0.2 nM dissolved Fe) filtered Ross Sea seawater was used to prepare the growth media, thus allowing sub-nanomolar iron additions without the use of EDTA to control dissolved iron concentrations. The experiment was conducted at relatively low irradiance (∼20 μE m⁻² s⁻¹), with P. antarctica primarily present in the colonial form—conditions that are typical of the southern Ross Sea during austral spring. Relative to the iron-limited control treatments (0.22 nM dissolved Fe), iron addition mediated a decrease in the ratio of 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin to chlorophyll a, and an increase in the ratio of fucoxanthin to chlorophyll a. Our results also suggest that the ratio of 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin to chlorophyll c₃ (Hex:Chl c₃ ratio) may be a characteristic physiological indicator for the iron-nutritional status of colonial P. antarctica, with higher Hex:Chl c₃ ratios (>3) indicative of Fe stress. We also observed that the ratio of fucoxanthin to 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin (Fuco:Hex ratio) was highly correlated (r ² = 0.82) with initial dissolved Fe concentration, with Fuco:Hex ratios <0.05 measured under iron-limited conditions (dissolved Fe <0.45 nM). Our results corroborate and extend the results of previous experimental studies, and, combined with pigment measurements from the southern Ross Sea, are consistent with the hypothesis that the interconversion of fucoxanthin and 19′-hexanoyloxyfucoxanthin by colonial P. antarctica is used as a photo-protective or light-harvesting mechanism, according to the availability of dissolved iron.     

The role of iron in the bacterial degradation of organic matter derived from Phaeocystis antarctica

In high-nutrient low-chlorophyll areas, bacterial degradation of organic matter may be iron-limited. The response of heterotrophic bacteria to Fe addition may be directly controlled by Fe availability and/or indirectly controlled through the effect of enhanced phytoplankton productivity and the subsequent supply of organic matter suitable for bacteria. In the present study, the role of Fe on bacterial carbon degradation was investigated through regrowth experiments by monitoring bacterial response to organic substrates derived from Phaeocystis antarctica cultures set up in <1 nM Fe (LFe) and in Fe-amended (HFe) Antarctic seawater. Results showed an impact of Fe addition on the morphotype dominance (colonies vs. single cells) of P. antarctica and on the quality of Phaeocystis-derived organic matter. Fe addition leaded to a decrease of C/N ratio of Phaeocystis material. The bacterial community composition was modified as observed from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles in LFe as compared to HFe bioassays. The percentage of active bacteria as well as their specific metabolic activities (ectoenzymatic hydrolysis, growth rates and bacterial growth efficiency) were enhanced in HFe bioassays. As a consequence, the lability of Phaeocystis-derived organic matter was altered, i.e., after seven days more than 90% was degraded in HFe and only 9% (dissolved) and 55% (total) organic carbon were degraded in LFe bioassays. By inducing increased bacterial degradation and preventing the accumulation of dissolved organic carbon, the positive effect of Fe supply on the carbon biological pump may partly be counteracted.     

Photosynthetic responses in Phaeocystis antarctica towards varying light and iron conditions

The effects of iron limitation on photoacclimation to a dynamic light regime were studied in Phaeocystis antarctica. Batch cultures were grown under a sinusoidal light regime, mimicking vertical mixing, under both iron-sufficient and -limiting conditions. Iron-replete cells responded to changes in light intensity by rapid xanthophyll cycling. Maximum irradiance coincided with maximum ratios of diatoxanthin/diadinoxanthin (dt/dd). The maximum quantum yield of photosynthesis (F _v /F _m ) was negatively related to both irradiance and dt/dd. Full recovery of F _v /F _m by the end of the light period suggested successful photoacclimation. Iron-limited cells displayed characteristics of high light acclimation. The ratio of xanthophyll pigments to chlorophyll a was three times higher compared to iron-replete cells. Down-regulation of photosynthetic activity was moderated. It is argued that under iron limitation cells maintain a permanent state of high energy quenching to avoid photoinhibition during exposure to high irradiance. Iron-limited cells could maintain a high growth potential due to an increased absorption capacity as recorded by in vivo absorption, which balanced a decrease in F _v /F _m . The increase in the chlorophyll a-specific absorption cross section was related to an increase in carotenoid pigments and a reduction in the package effect. These experiments show that P. antarctica can acclimate successfully to conditions as they prevail in the Antarctic ocean, which may explain the success of this species.     

Survival and recovery of Phaeocystis antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) from prolonged darkness and freezing

The colony-forming haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica is an important primary producer in the Ross Sea, and must survive long periods of darkness and freezing temperature in this extreme environment. We conducted experiments on the responses of P. antarctica-dominated phytoplankton assemblages to prolonged periods of darkness and freezing. Chlorophyll and photosynthetic capacity of the alga declined nonlinearly and independently of each other in the dark, and darkness alone would potentially reduce photosynthetic capacity by only 60 per cent over 150 days (approximately the length of the Antarctic winter in the southern Ross Sea). The estimated reduction of colonial mucous carbon is higher than that of colonial cell carbon, suggesting metabolism of the colonial matrix in the dark. The alga quickly resumed growth upon return to light. Phaeocystis antarctica also survived freezing, although longer freezing durations lengthened the lag before growth resumption. Particulate dimethylsulfoniopropionate relative to chlorophyll increased upon freezing and decreased upon darkness. Taken together, the abilities of P. antarctica to survive freezing and initiate growth quickly after darkness may provide it with the capability to survive in both the ice and the water column, and help explain its repeated dominance in austral spring blooms in the Ross Sea and elsewhere in the Southern Ocean.     

Continuous synthesis of alkyl ferulate by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase at high temperature

1-Pentyl, 1-hexyl and 1-heptyl ferulates were continuously synthesized at 60–90°C using a reactor system in which a column packed with ferulic acid powders and another column packed with immobilized Candida antarctica lipase particles were connected in series. Conversions greater than 0.9 were achieved for the synthesis of the 1-hexyl and 1-heptyl ferulates at 90°C. The system could be stably operated for the 1-heptyl ferulate synthesis at 90°C for at least two weeks.     

Capsaicin hydrolysis by Candida antarctica lipase

Capsaicin was hydrolysed by lipase B from Candida antarctica into vanillylamine and 8-methyl-6-trans-nonenoic acid. Conversions of 70% were obtained after 72 h at 70 °C in water but decreased to only 15% when capsaicin was solubilized in 15% (v/v) ethanol/water after 72 h at 45 °C. No activity occurred in chloroform/water mixtures. According to our knowledge, this is the first report concerning amide hydrolysis by a lipase.     

An examination of the role of colonial <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaeocystis antarctica</Emphasis> in the microbial food web of the Ross Sea

The extensive buildup of phytoplankton biomass in the Ross Sea conflicts with the view that high rates of herbivory occur in all regions of the Southern Ocean. Nano and microplanktonic consumers comprise a significant fraction of total plankton biomass; however, the importance of grazing remains uncertain in the Ross Sea. Microzooplankton ingestion of solitary and colonial cells of Phaeocystis antarctica were calculated using a novel live-staining fluorescently-labeled algae method. Different morphotypes of P. antarctica were stained different colors, mixed, and observed inside Euplotes to determine their feeding preference. The blue (7-aminocoumarin) (CMAC) stain was used on the colonies and the green (CMFDA) CellTracker Probe was used on solitary cells. Both morphotypes can be seen inside the food vacuoles of the ciliate, supporting the idea that microzooplankton are capable of ingesting cells within the colonial matrix. This suggests that P. antarctica colonies enter the microbial loop in the Ross Sea before sedimentation.     

Composition of the walls of pollen grains of the seagrass Amphibolis antarctica

The composition of walls isolated from pollen grains of the seagrass Amphibolis antarctica was determined. Glucose, galactose, and rhamnose were the major neutral monosaccharides in the wall polysaccharides, and fucose, arabinose, xylose, and mannose were present in minor proportions. No apiose, a monosaccharide present in the wall polysaccharides of the vegetative parts of the seagrass Heterozostera tasmanica, was found. Large amounts of uronic acid (mainly as galacturonic acid) were found in the walls. The monosaccharides were probably present in cellulose and pectic polysaccharides, the latter comprising neutral pectic galactans, and rhamnogalacturonans containing high proportions of rhamnose. The walls contained a small amount of protein; glycine and lysine were the amino acids present in the highest proportions. Histochemical examination of isolated walls confirmed the presence of polyanionic components (pectic polysaccharides), -glucans (cellulose), and protein. The composition of the walls is discussed in relation to analyses of the walls of pollen grains and vegetative organs of other plants.     

Effect of PAR irradiance intensity on Phaeocystis antarctica (Prymnesiophyceae) growth and DMSP,DMSO, and acrylate concentrations

Phaeocystis antarctica forms extensive spring blooms in the Southern Ocean that coincide with high concentrations of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylsulfide (DMS), and acrylate. We determined how concentrations of these compounds changed during the growth of axenic P. antarctica cultures exposed to light-limiting, sub-saturating, and saturating PAR irradiances. Cellular DMSP concentrations per liter cell volume (CV) ranged between 199 and 403 mmol · L_CV⁻¹, with the highest concentrations observed under light-limiting PAR. Cellular acrylate concentrations did not change appreciably with a change in irradiance level or growth, ranging between 18 and 45 mmol · L_CV⁻¹, constituting an estimated 0.2%–2.8% of cellular carbon. Both dissolved acrylate and DMSO increased substantially with irradiance during exponential growth on a per-cell basis, ranging from 0.91 to 3.15 and 0.24 to 1.39 fmol · cell⁻¹, respectively, indicating substantial export of these compounds into the dissolved phase. Average cellular DMSO:DMSP ratios increased 7.6-fold between exponential and stationary phases of batch growth, with a 3- to 13-fold increase in cellular DMSO likely formed from abiotic reactions of DMSP and DMS with reactive oxygen species (ROS). At mM levels, cellular DMSP and acrylate are proposed to serve as de facto antioxidants in P. antarctica not regulated by oxidative stress or changes in ROS. Instead, cellular DMSP concentrations are likely controlled by other physiological processes including an overflow mechanism to remove excess carbon via acrylate, DMS, and DMSO during times of unbalanced growth brought on by physical stress or nutrient limitation. Together, these compounds should aid P. antarctica in adapting to a range of PAR irradiances by maintaining cellular functions and reducing oxidative stress.     

Aminolysis of 2-hydroxy esters catalyzed by Candida antarctica lipase

Candida antarctica lipase catalyzed the aminolysis of 2-hydroxy esters with amines in organic solvents to yield the corresponding 2-hydroxy amides. The reactions proceeded at 28–30 °C in dioxane for 6 h with 3 mM substrates with yields ranging between 45% (w/w) (for branched substrates) to 88% (w/w) (for linear substrates). Although the reaction was not enantioselective, because of its simplicity it represents an alternative method for the synthesis of functionalised amides.     

Lupinus species differ in their requirements for iron

The effect of iron supply on the growth and nodulation ofLupinus angustifolius L. (Gungurru),Lupinus luteus L. (R-1171) andLupinus pilosus Murr. (P20957) was studied in acid solutions. Plants of the three species were grown together in the same solution and inoculated withBradyrhizobium (Lupinus) WU 425. Plants were then grown with or without applied NH₄NO₃. The lupin species differed greatly in their sensitivity to low iron concentrations in solution withL. pilosus being most tolerant andL. luteus most sensitive.L. pilosus had the highest iron concentration in tissues and had a higher ratio of iron concentration in the youngest fully expanded leaf blades (YEB) to that in roots than the other two species.L. luteus had higher iron concentrations in roots but lower iron concentration in YEB and shoots than didL. angustifolius. The requirements of internal iron for the maximal chlorophyll synthesis in YEB were 65 μg g^-1 forL. angustifolius andL. luteus, and 52 μg g^-1 forL. pilosus. In contrast to effects on growth, the three species had similar external iron requirements for nodule formation in roots and for maximal nitrogen concentrations in shoots. The results indicate that iron tolerant lupin species require lower internal and external iron supply and have a greater ability than sensitive species to translocate iron from roots to shoots.     

球形棕囊藻生长的营养需求研究

以球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosaScherffel)香港株(Hongkong strain,HK)和汕头株(Shantou strain,ST)为材料,采用正交实验方法研究了氮、磷、铁、微量元素及维生素等营养因子对其生长的影响。磷是球形棕囊藻香港株和汕头株生长的首要限制因子,在添加磷的培养基中,球形棕囊藻生长较快,在无磷培养液中,藻细胞生长较慢,其死亡速率超过生长速率,一般不形成正常生长曲线。汕头株的比生长速率极差值远高于香港株,表明汕头株棕囊藻的生长对营养盐更为敏感。磷酸盐对球形棕囊藻生长的影响极为显著(p<0.01),硝酸盐的影响达到显著水平(p<0.05),而铁、微量元素及维生素对球形棕囊藻生长影响不显著,表明自然海水中铁、微量元素及维生素的含量对球形棕囊藻的生长不构成限制。各因素影响的主次次序为P>N>微量元素>铁>维生素。本研究结果提示,海水富营养化是我国南海海域球形棕囊藻赤潮发生的关键诱因之一。     

Development of recombinant Aspergillus oryzae whole-cell biocatalyst expressing lipase-encoding gene from Candida antarctica

To expand the industrial applications of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB), we developed Aspergillus oryzae whole-cell biocatalyst expressing the lipase-encoding gene from C. antarctica. A. oryzae niaD300, which was derived from the wild type strain RIB40, was used as the host strain. The CALB gene was isolated from C. antarctica CBS6678 and expression plasmids were constructed with and without secretion signal peptide. The lipase gene was expressed under the control of improved glaA and pNo-8142 promoters of plasmids pNGA142 and pNAN8142, respectively. The Southern blot analysis demonstrated the successful integration of the CALB gene in the genome of A. oryzae. To determine the role of signal peptide, the expression plasmids were constructed with homologous and heterologous secretion signal sequences of triacylglycerol lipase gene (tglA) from A. oryzae and lipase B (CALB) from C. antarctica, respectively. The C-terminal FLAG tag does not alter the catalytic properties of the lipase enzyme and Western blotting analysis using anti-FLAG antibodies demonstrated the presence of cell wall and membrane bound lipase responsible for the biocatalytic activity of the whole-cell biocatalyst. The resultant recombinant A. oryzae was immobilized within biomass support particles (BSPs) made of polyurethane foam (PUF) and the BSPs were successfully used for the hydrolysis of para-nitrophenol butyrate (p-NPB) and for the optical resolution of (RS)-1-phenyl ethanol by enantioselective transesterification with vinyl acetate as acyl donor.     

Regio- and enantio-selective acetylation of 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-arylpropane-1,2-diols using Candida antarctica lipase

Of nine commercially available lipases, lipase SP 435 from Candida antarctica, showed moderate enantioselectivity (E=17) for acetylation of racemic 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-phenylpropane-1,2-diol, 2, with vinyl acetate in diisopropyl ether (S selectivity). The other eight had low selectivities, with E values below 10. The selectivity and reactivity of SP 435 for 2 was markedly improved in dichloroethane (E=41). Moreover, SP 435 had moderate to high selectivity for the related compounds 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(1-naphthyl)-propane-1,2-diol, 4, (E=20), 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(indol-3-yl)propane-1,2-diol, 6, (E=80), and 3,3,3-trifluoro-2-(pyrrol-2-yl)-propane-1,2-diol, 8, (E=17).     

Influence of medium composition and aeration on the synthesis of biosurfactants produced by Candida antarctica

Candida antarctica synthesised surface-active mannosylerythritol lipids at 46 g l^–1 by adding 80 g soybean oil l^–1 to the medium and maintaining the pO₂ at 50% with an air flow rate 1 vvm. Two-stage culturing of C. antarctica avoided medium foaming but the yield of biosurfactants synthesis was 28 g l^–1. The biosurfactants decreased the surface tension of water to 35 mN m^–1.     

Zooplankton grazing on Phaeocystis: a quantitative review and future challenges

The worldwide colony-forming haptophyte phytoplankton Phaeocystis spp. are key organisms in trophic and biogeochemical processes in the ocean. Many organisms from protists to fish ingest cells and/or colonies of Phaeocystis. Reports on specific mortality of Phaeocystis in natural plankton or mixed prey due to grazing by zooplankton, especially protozooplankton, are still limited. Reported feeding rates vary widely for both crustaceans and protists feeding on even the same Phaeocystis types and sizes. Quantitative analysis of available data showed that: (1) laboratory-derived crustacean grazing rates on monocultures of Phaeocystis may have been overestimated compared to feeding in natural plankton communities, and should be treated with caution; (2) formation of colonies by P. globosa appeared to reduce predation by small copepods (e.g., Acartia, Pseudocalanus, Temora and Centropages), whereas large copepods (e.g., Calanus spp.) were able to feed on colonies of Phaeocystis pouchetii; (3) physiological differences between different growth states, species, strains, cell types, and laboratory culture versus natural assemblages may explain most of the variations in reported feeding rates; (4) chemical signaling between predator and prey may be a major factor controlling grazing on Phaeocystis; (5) it is unclear to what extent different zooplankton, especially protozooplankton, feed on the different life forms of Phaeocystis in situ. To better understand the mechanisms controlling zooplankton grazing in situ, future studies should aim at quantifying specific feeding rates on different Phaeocystis species, strains, cell types, prey sizes and growth states, and account for chemical signaling between the predator and prey. Recently developed molecular tools are promising approaches to achieve this goal in the future.     

Effect of additives on the esterification activity of immobilized Candida antarctica lipase

In this work, the stabilizing effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA), peptone (PEP), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) during immobilization of Candida antarctica lipase on activated carbon was investigated. The influence of enzyme concentration and type of additive, added during the immobilization procedure, was studied using a 2² factorial central composite design. The goal was to maximize the synthetic activity of butyl butyrate, using butyric acid and butanol as substrate in n-heptane. An increase of 31–58% in the esterification activity was obtained when enzyme concentration on the supernatant was enhanced from 86.50 U m L⁻¹ to 226.80 U mL⁻¹. An enhancement in esterification activity of 38–68.95% was observed, depending on the initial enzyme concentration, when PEP was used instead of BSA. No significant increase in the esterification activity was observed when PEP was replaced by PEG. However, thermal stability tests at 50 °C showed that PEG had a higher stabilizing effect.