Superoxide dismutase in Scenedesmus obliquus

In heterotrophically grown Scenedesmus obliquus, the specific activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) declined when glucose was abundant, increased as it was depleated, and remained steady at a high level when it was absent. Transition to autotrophic growth produced only a small (20% over 5 d) increase in specific activity above the values obtained in dark-grown cells after glucose and starch-reserve depletion. This small, but consistent, increase did, however, parallel a similar increase in photosynthetic capacity. Polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis showed the existence of nine isoenzymes of SOD. The three major and one of the minor isoenzymes were present in all extracts while three minor isoenzymes were found only in autotrophically grown cells and two only in heterotrophically grown cells. Characterization studies indicated that two of the major isoenzymes are dimeric FeSODs the other is a tetrameric MnSOD, and of the minor isoenzymes, two are dimeric FeSODs and four are dimeric MnSODs.Abbreviation SOD superoxide dismutase     

Adaptation, Readaptation and Synthesis of Hydrogenases in Scenedesmus obliquus

Scenedesmus cells reach full hydrogen activity after 2.5 h ofanaerobic adaptation. Exposure to oxygen inactivates the hydrogenaseimmediately. Readaptation occurs with the same kinetics as primaryadaptation. The fast activation and reactivation as well asthe insensibility to cycloheximide suggest that hydrogenase,inactive or activated, is present in the chloroplast all thetime. The activation and even more the readaptation are sensitiveto chloramphenicol. Thus, we propose that hydrogenase itselfor an activating protein in the chloroplast have a rather fastturnover. ¹ Present address: Pharathiar University, Dept. of Botany, Coimbatore,India.     

Culture and nitrite uptake in immobilized Scenedesmus obliquus

Summary The green alga Scenedesmus obliquus was immobilized in Ca-alginate beads. The cell growth after immobilization was studied by cell counting. The nitrite uptake was not affected by immobilization, except that a longer lag phase was observed in immobilized cells than in free ones. That result could be due to a barrier effect of the matrix against nitrite diffusion inside the beads. The treatment of cells by glycerol prior to their immobilization in a batch reactor induced an increase of nitrite uptake by the cells. This effect disappeared after a few runs. The glycerol effect on specific rates seemed also to decrease when the number of immobilized cells increased. This decrease can be related to the decrease of light efficiency as well as substrate accessibility when a high cell concentration was used. Several alternating runs of Tris-HCl buffer containing nitrite growth medium depleted in combined nitrogen were tested. Cellular growth occurred inside the beads up to a maximum followed by a decrease of cell number in the beads.     

Stereoselective bioaccumulation,transformation, and toxicity of triadimefon in Scenedesmus obliquus

In this study the stereoselective bioaccumulation and transformation of triadimefon and the toxicity of triadimefon and its metabolite triadimenol to the green algae Scenedesmus obliquus were studied. In growth inhibition experiments, triadimenol was more toxic than triadimefon, and (1S,2R)‐triadimenol, which has the largest fungicidal activity, presented the highest toxicity to the algae. In bioaccumulation experiments, triadimefon was rapidly taken up by algae cells, and the decrease in the concentration of triadimefon was accompanied by an increase in triadimenol. The transformation of S‐(+)‐ triadimefon was faster than that of the R‐(−)‐enantiomer, resulting in four triadimenol stereoisomers at different forming rates: B2 (1S, 2S) > B1 (1R, 2R) > A2 (1S, 2R) > A1 (1R, 2S). Thus, it is necessary to explore the enantioselective toxicology and ecological fate of these chiral pesticides in an environmental risk assessment. Also, their metabolites should be paid specific attention to since they may pose higher ecological risks.     

Correlation between respiration and hydrogenase adaptation in Scenedesmus obliquus

Full activity of hydrogenase is induced in autotrophic or heterotrophic Scenedesmus obliquus [strain D3 (Gaffron)] cells after 2 h under anaerobic adaptation. Semi-aerobic conditions allow only an induction of 20% activity. Hydrogenase is completely inactivated by oxygen in cell free preparations. Semi-aerobic adaptation of hydrogenase is enhanced by glucose and inhibited by sodium azide. It is concluded that respiration enhances hydrogenase activation by creating an oxygen free microclimate and by providing energy in the form of ATP.     

Enhancement of acid resistance of Scenedesmus dimorphus by acid adaptation

When using flue gas as carbon source for microalgae cultivation, the resulting acidic environment caused by SO _X and NO _X can inhibit microalgal growth. In this study, Scenedesmus dimorphus acquired increased acid resistance by prior exposure to sublethal acid stress; a process defined as acid adaptation. Among the five algal species tested, S. dimorphus showed the highest level of acid tolerance to extreme acid challenge (exposure to pH 3.0). Non-adapted and acid-adapted exponential algal cells were used as inocula for tubular photobioreactors aerated with 2 % CO₂. Previously adapted at pH 4.0 for 1 h, S. dimorphus developed highest growth rate under extreme acidic condition, and the maximum biomass concentration and specific growth rate at pH 3.0 (3.638?±?0.074 g?L^?1 and 1.037?±?0.008 d^?1, respectively) were respectively 14.22 and 10.79 % higher than those of non-adapted cells. Moreover, acid-adapted cells could tolerate lower pH of 2.5, at which the growth of non-adapted cells was totally inhibited. All the results indicated that acid adaptation was an effective approach for the acid resistance enhancement of microalgae.     

Action spectra for photosynthetic adaptation in Scenedesmus obliquus

Photosynthetic adaptation of the unicellular green alga Scenedemus obliquus to different light conditions was investigated with respect to chlorophyll synthesis. Cultures were grown under white light (20 W · m^–2) from fluorescent lamps and were then transferred and subjected to the actual adaptation regime which consisted of a 24-h irradiation by different fluence rates and wavelengths. Fluence rate-response curves for chlorophyll synthesis were measured between 4 · 10^–2 and 1 · 10² W · m^–2. In white light from incandescent lamps, in blue and red light the fluence rate-response curves for chlorophyll (Chl) a and also for Chl b were bell-shaped. In red light the threshold was about the same as under blue light. The maximal amounts of Chl a and b were about twofold increased under blue light relative to the values obtained with red light. Action spectra for the stimulation of chlorophyll synthesis (Chl a + Chl b) as well as those for the separate chlorophylls showed two maxima near 450 and 500 nm. However, the action spectrum for Chl b synthesis demonstrated a considerably higher value in the 450-nm peak. Experiments with the photosynthesis inhibitor 3-(3,4-dichlorphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU) indicated that photosynthetic energy supply supported the photostimulation of chlorophyll synthesis. The action spectra indicate the cooperation of two photoreceptors. The 460-nm peak is attributed to the typical blue-light receptor, being more active in Chl b formation. The peak at 500 nm may represent carotenoproteins acting as an accessory pigment system.Abbreviations PCV packed cell volume - Chl total amount of chlorophyll - Chl a, b chlorophyll a, b - DCMU 3-(3,4-dichlorphenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea This project was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We thank Ms. K. Bölte for technical assistance.     

Cultivation of Scenedesmus dimorphus using anaerobic digestate as a nutrient medium

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - In this study, the microalga Scenedesmus dimorphus was cultivated phototrophically using unsterilized anaerobic digestate as a nutrient medium. A bench-scale...     

Nitrogen budget in Scenedesmus obliquus cultures with artificial wastewater

Semicontinuous cultures of Scenedesmus obliquus in artificial wastewater, recycled into proteins about 33% and 25% of the dissolved nitrogen missing from the medium 24 h after harvesting 50% and 70% of the culture, and replacing the volume harvested with fresh medium. The residual dissolved nitrogen concentrations were 25% and 43% of the initial, respectively, with an imbalance in the mass budget close to 17 and 20 mg N l(-1) d-1. Most or all the nitrogen missing was found in an ammonia trap located at the air vent of the closed cultures, showing that an important role of microalgae in wastewater treatment is that of favouring NH3 stripping due to the photosynthesis-induced pH increases.