title: Natural xenobiotics to prevent cyanobacterial and algal growth in freshwater: contrasting efficacy of tannic acid, gallic acid, and gramine.
abstract: Allelochemical action against planktonic phototrophs is one central issue in freshwater ecology and quality management. To determine some basic mechanisms of this toxic action, we exposed the coccal green alga, Desmodesmus armatus, and the coccal cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, in a batch culture well-supplied with carbon dioxide to increasing concentrations of the polyphenols tannic acid and gallic acid and the alkaloid gramine. The phototrophs were checked after 2d and at the end of the culture for biomass-based growth rates, cell volume, maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (ΦPSIImax), chlorophyll a content (chla) after 2d and at the end of the culture, and lipid peroxidation only at the end of the culture. During the culture, the pH rose from 7.64 to 10.95, a pH characteristic of eutrophic freshwater bodies during nuisance algal blooms. All xenobiotics reduced the growth rate, ΦPSIImax, and chla during the first 2d with M. aeruginosa being more sensitive to the polyphenols than D. armatus. The efficacy of the polyphenols declined with increasing pH, indicating potential polymerization and corresponding reduced bioavailability of the polyphenols. In contrast to the polyphenols, gramine increased its toxic action over time, independent of the prevailing pH. All exposures caused slight to severe lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the phototrophs. Hence, one mechanism of growth inhibition may be oxidative stress-mediated reduction in photosynthesis. The presented results suggest that in successful field trials with leachate, the prevailing environmental conditions may inactivate polyphenols and xenobiotics other than polyphenols may be more effective.
authors: Lausitz University of Applied Sciences, Großenhainer Straße 57, 01968 Senftenberg, Germany; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Laboratory of Freshwater & Stress Ecology, Arboretum, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Pauline
authors: P
authors: Laue
authors: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Laboratory of Freshwater & Stress Ecology, Arboretum, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany.
authors: Hanno
authors: H
authors: Bährs
authors: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Laboratory of Freshwater & Stress Ecology, Arboretum, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany; Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering Potsdam-Bornim, Max-Eyth-Allee 100, 14469 Potsdam, Germany.
authors: Shumon
authors: S
authors: Chakrabarti
authors: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Laboratory of Freshwater & Stress Ecology, Arboretum, Späthstr. 80/81, 12437 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: christian_ew_steinberg@web.de.
authors: Christian E W
authors: CE
authors: Steinberg
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002734:Chlorophyll / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D000077194:Chlorophyll A; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D026121:Indole Alkaloids; D046931:Microcystis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D026121:Indole Alkaloids; D045332:Photosystem II Protein Complex; D013634:Tannins; D015262:Xenobiotics; D002734:Chlorophyll; C085815:chlorophyll a'; D005707:Gallic Acid; C007884:gramine; D000077194:Chlorophyll A
keywords: Alkaloid; Desmodesmus armatus; Microcystis aeruginosa; Natural algicide; Polyphenols