Publication
Title
Sensitivity of two green microalgae to copper stress : growth, oxidative and antioxidants analyses
Author
Abstract
Depending on species, heavy metals, including copper (Cu), differentially affect algal growth and metabolism. Here, we aim to evaluate the differential responses of two green microalgae, Chlorella sorokiniana and Scenedesmus acuminatus, exposed to sub -lethal doses of Cu (25 and 50 mu M, respectively) for 7 days. The changes in growth, oxidative damage markers, and antioxidants were analysed. We found that S. acwninatus could acclimatise during long-term exposure to Cu stress. S. acuminatus accumulated lower Cu content and showed a slight decrease in H2O2 levels when compared to C. sorokiniana. Cu stress induced membrane damage in the two microalgae species, however, this increase was slightly lower in S. acuminatus. To mitigate Cu stress impact, C. sorkiniana markedly increased proline, polyphenols, flavonoids, tocopherols, glutathione levels, as well as the activities of GST, APX, GR and SOD enzymes, which could explain less -stress sensitivity. On the other hand, S. acuminatus exhibited significant increases in proline, polyphenol, and tocopherol contents. Activity levels of PDX, APX, GR and SOD enzymes, were also increased. These results suggest that the two microalgae differentially induced the antioxidant defence system to neutralise the oxidative damage induced by Cu stress. This study also provided new data for Cu tolerance and Cu removal abilities of two microalgal species, which commonly exist in surface water bodies, where low Cu uptake and efficient antioxidant defence system protected S. acuminatus against oxidative stress induced by Cu stress. This makes it feasible for treatment of Cu contaminated waters.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Ecotoxicology and environmental safety. - New York
Publication
New York : 2017
ISSN
0147-6513
DOI
10.1016/J.ECOENV.2017.05.048
Volume/pages
144 (2017) , p. 19-25
ISI
000408520100003
Pubmed ID
28599127
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 03.10.2017
Last edited 04.03.2024
To cite this reference