Effects of strontium-induced stress on marine microalgae Platymonas subcordiformis (Chlorophyta: Volvocales)

Strontium-induced stress in growth and chlorophyll contents of Platymonas subcordiformis was investigated under laboratory condition. The results showed that strontium exposure had little influ- ences in general on growth and chlorophyll contents of the algae except for very high Sr concentrations. The maximum biosorption capacity of strontium ranged from 69.62 to 269.18 mg Sr2+/g dry weight. The algal biomass exhibited high uptake capacity of strontium. Total superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the content of lipid peroxidation products malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly different in differ- ent treatments. SOD activity reached the highest level at 0.09 mmol/L that was about 55.8 % higher than that in the control. The MDA content increased significantly at 0.36 mmol/L, which was 2.15 times higher than that in the control, indicating a state of oxidative stress. With the increase of strontium concentration, the amount of fatty acids decreased.

Genetic transformation of Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis (Prasinophyceae, Chlorophyta) using particle bombardment and glass-bead agitation

Platymonas (Tetraselmis) subcordiformis is a unicellular marine green alga. It was found to be very sensitive to the herbicide Basta through a sensitivity test indicating it could be employed as a selective agent. The bar gene is a practicable and selectable marker gene. The vector containing the expression cassette of the bar gene was transferred to P. subcordiformis by both particle bombardment and glass-bead agitation and transformants were then selected using Basta. Finally, Southern blotting analysis indicated that the bar gene had been successfully integrated into the nuclear genome of P. subcordiformis using both of the transgenic techniques, with the transformation efficiency of the glass-bead method being slightly higher than that of particle bombardment. This is the first report on stable transformation of P. subcordiformis, and will improve fundamental research and enlarge application of this alga.

The effects of immobilization on physiology and ultrastructure of unicellular alga Platymonas subcordiformis

In the present paper, the unicellular green alga Platymonas subcordiformis was entrapped in 2% (W/V) alginate, treated with CaCl2 at different concentrations (0. 5, 0.75, 1. 0, 1. 5 and 2. 0 mol/dm3), cultured at 15℃ and 25℃. The growth rate and morphology were studied and photosynthesis and respiration rates were measured. The optimum conditions of immobilized culture is in 0. 5 mol/dm3 of CaCl2, at 25℃. Photosynthesis rate of immobilized cells is higher than free cultivated cells, and that at 15℃ than at 25℃. Under scanning electronic microscope, it was shown that the immobilized cells had larger size and rougher surface. The relationship between growth of immobilized cells and abiotic factors and the prospects of applying immobilized cultivation are also discussed.

A Comparative Study of the Sensitivity of F_v/F_m to Phosphorus Limitation on Four Marine Algae

We studied the effects of nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） supply on Fv/Fm （maximal quantum yield of photosystem Ⅱ） in the algae Chaetoceros debilis, Dicrateria inornata, Platymonas subcordiformis and Heterosigma akashiwo to determine the sensitivity of Fv/Fm to P-limitation of the four species. Obvious decrease of Fv/Fm value was monitored in periods of P-depletion, the decrease showing different magnitudes among algal species. A more clear decrease of Fv/Fm in Platymonas subcordiformis and Heterosigma akashiwo was observed, compared with that in Chaetoceros debilis and Dicrateria inornata. After the re-supply of P, the index Fv/Fm of the four species all recovered quickly in 24h. Cell division was maintained and chlorophyll content continued to increase until the end of the experiment in Platymonas subcordiformis and Heterosigma akashiwo, while in Chaetoceros debilis and Dicrateria inornata, the division stopped in the later period when the growth of organisms came into the stationary phase. The most obvious respond of chlorophyll content to P-additions was observed in Heterosigma akashiwo culture in 24 h. The sensitivity of Fv/Fm to nutrient limitations is different among algal species, and much should be done to improve the application of this index.

Production of dimethylsulfide and acrylic acid from dimethylsulfoniopropionate during growth of three marine microalgae

We measured the concentrations of dimethylsulfide(DMS),acrylic acid(AA),and dimethylsulfoniopropionate(DMSP) during growth of three microalgae:Prorocentrum micans,Gephyrocapsa oceanica,and Platymonas subcordiformis.The DMSP,AA,and DMS concentrations in culture media varied significantly among algal growth stages,with the highest concentrations in the late stationary growth stage or the senescent stage.In the stationary growth stage,the average DMSP concentration per cell in P.micans(0.066 5 pmol/cell) was 1.3 times that in G.oceanica(0.049 5 pmol/cell) and 20.2 times that in P.subcordiformis(0.003 29 pmol/cell).The average concentrations of AA were0.044 6,0.026 9,and 0.003 05 pmol/cell in P.micans,G.oceanica,and P.subcordiformis,respectively,higher than the concentrations of DMS(0.272,0.497,and 0.086 2 fmol/cell,respectively).There were significant positive correlations between cell density and AA,DMSP,and DMS concentrations.The ratios of DMS/AA and AA/(DMSP+AA) in the three algae differed significantly over the growth cycle.In all three microalgae,the DMS/AA ratios were less than 25%during the growth period,suggesting that the enzymatic cleavage pathway,which generates DMS,was not the main DMSP degradation pathway.The changes in the DMS/AA ratio indicated that there was a higher rate of enzymatic breakdown of DMSP in the early growth period and a lower rate during senescence.In all three microalgae,the AA/(DMSP+AA) ratio(degradation ratio of DMSP) decreased during the exponential growth phase,and then increased.The variations in these ratios can approximately indicate the cleavage mechanism of DMSP at different stages of algal growth.