Low-Molecular-Weight Metabolites from Diatoms: Structures, Biological Roles and Biosynthesis

Abstract

Diatoms are abundant and important biological components of the marine environment that biosynthesize diverse natural products. These microalgae are rich in various lipids, carotenoids, sterols and isoprenoids, some of them containing toxins and other metabolites. Several groups of diatom natural products have attracted great interest due to their potential practical application as energy sources (biofuel), valuable food constituents, and prospective materials for nanotechnology. In addition, hydrocarbons, which are used in climate reconstruction, polyamines which participate in biomineralization, new apoptotic agents against tumor cells, attractants and deterrents that regulate the biochemical communications between marine species in seawaters have also been isolated from diatoms. However, chemical studies on these microalgae are complicated by difficulties, connected with obtaining their biomass, and the influence of nutrients and contaminators in their environment as well as by seasonal and climatic factors on the biosynthesis of the corresponding natural products. Overall, the number of chemically studied diatoms is lower than that of other algae, but further studies, particularly those connected with improvements in the isolation and structure elucidation technique as well as the genomics of diatoms, promise both to increase the number of studied species with isolated biologically active natural products and to provide a clearer perception of their biosynthesis.

Functional Genomics Differentiate Inherent and Environmentally Influenced Traits in Dinoflagellate and Diatom Communities

“…This indicates that dinoflagellates preferably use the catabolic and diatoms, as autotrophs, the anabolic part of fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, diatoms can accumulate lipids, which are more lightweight than other chemical constituents and thus regulate their buoyancy [79]. This extra buoyancy (compared with other organisms) may counteract the effect of their relatively heavy silica cell walls.…”

Exploring Valuable Lipids in Diatoms

“…Many known microalgal species have similar fatty acid profile, but fatty acid content in each species varies and it mainly depends on the strains and culture conditions (Opute, 1974;Stonik and Stonik, 2015;Jiang et al, 2016). EPA was one of the most characterized fatty acids in diatom lipids (Stonik and Stonik, 2015), while small portion of rare C24-C28 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were also found in diatoms and other microalgae (Mansour et al, 2005). EPA and DHA are the most valuable FAs found in many species of diatoms with relatively high levels (Dunstan et al, 1993).…”

Современные Тенденции Развития Биологии Водных Экосистем

“…Среди метаболитов диатомовых водорослей определены различные липиды, каротиноиды, стеролы и изопреноиды, токсины (см. обзор [64]). …”

“…Некоторые группы органических продуктов диа-томовых водорослей возможно использовать в качестве пищевых добавок, другие перспективны в на-нотехнологии или медицине. Из диатомей можно выделить новые аттрактанты и детерренты, которые регулируют биохимические связи между видами в морской среде и могут быть практически использова-ны [64]. Интересно, что большинство новых для диатомей оксилипинов, которые были ранее описаны для наземных растений, в настоящее время исследуют в качестве лекарств для лечения заболеваний человека, вызванных патогенными организмами [45].…”