Effect of copper and salicylic acid on phenolic metabolites and free amino acids in Scenedesmus quadricauda (Chlorophyceae)

• Published in: Plant science (Limerick) Vol. 178; no. 3; pp. 307 - 311
• Main Authors: Kováčik, Jozef, Klejdus, Bořivoj, Hedbavny, Josef, Bačkor, Martin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-03-2010; [Ireland]: Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Algae; algae and seaweeds; biochemical pathways; Biological and medical sciences; chemical constituents of plants; Chlorophyceae; chlorophyll; copper; Copper toxicity; free amino acids; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heavy metals; metal tolerance; Oxidative stress; phenolic compounds; phytotoxicity; protein content; salicylic acid; Scenedesmus; Scenedesmus quadricauda; signal transduction; Soil and water pollution; Soil science; Water pollution; Oxidative stress; Copper toxicity; Water pollution; Algae; Heavy metals; Salicylic acid; Metabolite; Toxicity; Free form; Plant biology; Chlorophyceae; Heavy metal; Chlorophyta; Aminoacid; Phenols; Copper; Scenedesmus quadricauda
• ISSN: 0168-9452; 1873-2259
• DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2010.01.009

Species of the genus
Scenedesmus are frequently used in studies focused on heavy metal toxicity and phenols represent important tool for stress protection. However, deeper knowledge about accumulation of phenolic metabolites in algae still absents. We therefore studied selected metabolic responses of widely distributed green algal species
Scenedesmus quadricauda to short-term (24
h) effect of copper (Cu), salicylic acid (SA) and their combined application (25
μM for both). Exposure to Cu led to decrease in chlorophylls while SA stimulated increase in chlorophylls. Soluble proteins and total soluble phenols were depressed by Cu treatment while SA had no effect and did not reverse influence of Cu in combined variant. Endogenous SA decreased in Cu
+
SA treatment and this depletion had no direct effect on the accumulation of the majority of detected phenolic acids, while individual amino acids seemed to be affected. Considerable accumulation of benzoic acids and their noticeable responses to SA may suggest involvement in protection against Cu toxicity since intracellular Cu remained unchanged by exposure to Cu
+
SA. These observations are discussed in the context of biosynthesis of phenols and possible signalling mechanisms are also suggested.