title: Seasonal biochemical and photophysiological responses in the intertidal macroalga Cystoseira tamariscifolia (Ochrophyta).
abstract: Seasonal changes in the biochemistry and photophysiology of the brown macroalga Cystoseira tamariscifolia was analyzed in southern Spain. Total carbon and nitrogen contents, phenolic compounds, antioxidant and photosynthetic activities were seasonally determined over two years. Carbon, nitrogen and photoprotective phenolic contents were higher in winter and spring than in summer and autumn. Antioxidant levels were highest in spring and we found a positive correlation between phenolic content and antioxidant activity (EC50). Photosynthetic capacity (ETRmax) and photosynthetic efficiency (αETR) were also highest in spring, and there was a positive correlation between ETRmax and the amount of phenols present. Increased irradiance in spring enhanced algal productivity, antioxidant activity and the production of photoprotective compounds but in summer nutrient depletion due to thermal stratification of coastal waters reduced photosynthetic activity and the photoprotective capacity of C. tamariscifolia. Electron microscopy showed that phenols occurred in the cytoplasm of cortical cells inside physodes. Spring would be the best period to harvest C. tamariscifolia to extract photoprotectors and antioxidants for potential commercial uses, although the environmental impacts would need to be carefully assessed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain; Laboratorio de Botánica, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Barcelona, Joan XXIII s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: paulacelispla@uma.es.
authors.forename: Paula S M
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Celis-Plá
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Zenilda L
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Bouzon
authors.affiliation: Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, Plymouth University, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK.
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hall-Spencer
authors.affiliation: Plant Cell Biology Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Genetics, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88049-900, CP 476 Florianópolis, SC, Brazil.
authors.forename: Eder C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korbee
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos s/n, 29071 Málaga, Spain.
authors.forename: Félix L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Figueroa
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D000459:Phaeophyceae / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis; D010788:Photosynthesis / Q000502:physiology; D012621:Seasons; D013472:Sunlight
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010636:Phenols; D002244:Carbon; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Algal productivity; Antioxidants; Cystoseira tamariscifolia; In vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence; Mediterranean Sea; Nitrogen; Phenols; UV protection