Light Induced Changes in Pigment and Lipid Profiles of Bryopsidales Algae

Abstract

Bryopsidales (Chlorophyta) are cultured and consumed in several regions of the planet and are known for their high nutritional value and bioprospection potential, due to a high content of relevant polar lipids and polysaccharides. Among other characteristic features, these marine algae are known for possessing unique photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes and for the absence (in nearly all species investigated) of a functional xanthophyll cycle, a ubiquitous photoprotection mechanism present in most algae and plants. With the aim of characterizing the photophysiology of this atypical group of algae, we investigated the changes in pigment content and polar lipidome of two Bryopsidales species (Codium tomentosum and Bryopsis plumosa) exposed for 7 days to low or high irradiance (20 vs. 1,000 μmol photons m–2 s–1). Our results show that high light has a strong effect on the pigment composition, triggering the time-dependent accumulation of all-trans-neoxanthin (t-Neo) and violaxanthin (Viola). High light-acclimated macroalgae also displayed a shift in the characteristic polar lipidome, including a trend of accumulation of lyso-glycolipids, and highly unsaturated phospholipids and betaine lipids. We hypothesize that the observed shifts on the lipid composition could promote the interaction between t-Neo and Viola with the siphonaxanthin–chlorophyll–protein complexes (SCP) of photosystem II (PSII) within the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts. Light induced changes in pigment and lipid composition could contribute to the fitness of Bryopsidales algae by reducing damages to the photosynthetic apparatus under increased irradiance.

Revealing the polar lipidome, pigment profiles, and antioxidant activity of the giant unicellular green alga, Acetabularia acetabulum

“…In most eukaryotic algae the amount of glycosyl glycerides is much higher than the amount of other lipids such as phosphoglycerides or betaine lipids (Li‐Beisson et al, 2019). The lipid molecular species MGDG 18:3_16:3 was the most abundant MGDG species in A. acetabulum , C. tomentosum , and B. plumosa (Giossi et al, 2021; Rey et al, 2020). This lipid species was not identified in U. rigida growing in an integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture (IMTA) system (Lopes, Melo, et al, 2021); however, it was identified in U. rigida and other species of Ulva genus growing under laboratory conditions (Monteiro et al, 2022).…”

“…Abbreviations: DGDG, digalactosyl diacylglycerol; DGTS, diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethyl homoserine; LPC, lyso phosphatidylcholine; MGDG, monogalactosyldiacylglycerol; MGMG, monogalactosyl monoacylglycerol; PC, phosphatidylcholine; PE, phosphatidylethanolamine; PG, phosphatidylglycerol; SQDG, sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol. Data of Codium tomentosum and Ulva rigida (Lopes, Melo, et al, 2021); data of Codium tomentosum and Bryopsis plumosa (Giossi et al, 2021); data of Acetabularia acetabulum (this study). [Color figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] found in thylakoid membranes (Li-Beisson et al, 2015).…”

Acquisition of Desiccation Tolerance Unveiled: Polar Lipid Profiles of Streptophyte Algae Offer Insights

“…Thus, based on the shape of the PI molecule and its consequent physicochemical properties, a role of PI in extraplastidial membranes analogous to that of OGL in chloroplast membranes has been suggested (Gasulla et al, 2013). The substantial decrease (40%) in total lipid content, together with the large increase in PA and lysolipids (such as MGTS), suggests the activation of a process of lipid cleavage (Giossi et al, 2021) and cellular degradation.…”

Mapping the Polar Lipidome of Macroalgae using LC‐MS‐Based Approaches for Add‐Value Applications

“…However, alternatives for minimizing the negative impacts on human health and environment associated with the use of hazardous solvents such as chlorinated solvents are being considered in the lipid extraction of macroalgae. In particular, it has been used for the replacement of chloroform with less harmful solvents, such as dichloromethane [22,64] or methyl-tert-butyl ether. [65] After extraction, the total lipid content is usually determined by gravimetry.…”