Effect of Low Atmospheric Pressure on the Growth and Antioxidant Defense Response of Dunaliella Salina

Hassanpour, Halimeh

doi:10.22034/jsst.2024.1483

Effect of Low Atmospheric Pressure on the Growth and Antioxidant Defense Response of Dunaliella Salina

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Author

Halimeh Hassanpour

Associate Professor, Aerospace Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jsst.2024.1483

Abstract

Space explorations on Mars are compelling scientific endeavors that provide critical information on how to establish life on the planet. Designing a bioregenerative life support system capable of supplying food and oxygen is essential for long-duration human missions to Mars. The atmospheric pressure on the Martian surface is significantly lower than that on Earth, and the ability of photosynthesizing organisms to grow under such low atmospheric pressures is crucial for developing a life support system. Dunaliella salina, a unicellular microalga, is a rich source of the valuable metabolite β-carotene. This alga exhibits rapid growth, tolerance to environmental stress, and potential as a candidate for space studies. This study investigated the effect of low atmospheric pressure (860, 340, 160, and 80 mbar) on growth, chlorophyll pigments, and antioxidant enzyme responses in D. salina. The results demonstrated that growth, cell number, density, and chlorophyll content increased under 340 and 160 mbar pressures but significantly decreased at 80 mbar. Protein content increased by 32.1% at 340 mbar, declining at 80 mbar. Reduced growth under 80 mbar atmospheric pressure resulted in the high accumulation of carotenoid content (13.4 mg g⁻¹) and β-carotene (9.4 mg g⁻¹). Superoxide dismutase increased with decreasing atmospheric pressure, while catalase activity declined at 80 mbar. These findings suggest that the ability of D. salina to grow under varying atmospheric pressures is linked to alterations in cellular metabolism and enhanced antioxidant capacity.

Keywords

Carotene: Low Atmospheric Pressure: Dunaliella Salina: Growth: Superoxide Dismutase

Subjects

Plant Biology

Article Title Persian

تاثیر کاهش فشار اتمسفری بر رشد و پاسخ دفاع آنتی اکسیدانی جلبک دونالیلا سالینا

Author Persian

حلیمه حسن پور

دانشیار، پژوهشگاه هوافضا، وزارت علوم، تحقیقات و فناوری، تهران، ایران

Abstract Persian

اکتشافات فضایی در مریخ از موضات علمی جذاب بوده و می تواند اطلاعات ارزشمندی را برای استقرار حیات در این سیاره فراهم نماید. برای ارسال انسان به مریخ در ماموریت‌های طولانی مدت نیاز به طراحی سیستم پشیبان حیات قابل بازیابی برای تامین غذا و اکسیژن است. فشار اتمسفری سطح مریخ بسیار کمتر از سطح زمین است و قابلیت رشد موجودات فتوسنتز کننده در فشار اتمسفری پائین برای استقرار سیستم پشتیبان حیات اهمیت بسزایی دارد. دونالیلا سالینا نوعی جلبک تک سلولی و غنی از متابولیت ارزشمند بتا-کاروتن است. این جلبک رشد سریعی داشته، مقاوم به تنش‌های محیطی بوده و می‌تواند به‌عنوان کاندیدی برای مطالعات فضایی باشد. در این مطالعه تاثیر فشار پائین اتمسفری (860، 340، 160 و 80 میلی‌بار) بر رشد، محتوای رنگیزهای کلروفیل و پاسخ آنزیم‌های آنتی‌اکسیدانی جلبک دونالیلا سالینا بررسی شد. نتایج نشان داد که رشد، تعداد ، تراکم سلولی و محتوای کلروفیل در فشار 340 و 160 میلی‌بار افزایش یافت، ولی در فشار اتمسفری 80 میلی‌بار منجر به کاهش معنی‌دار این پارامترها شد. محتوای پروتئین در فشار اتمسفری 340 میلی‌بار 1/32 درصد افزایش یافت، ولی در 80 میلی‌بار مقدار آن کاهش یافت. کاهش رشد در فشار اتمسفری 80 میلی‌بار منجر به تجمع بالای محتوای کاروتنوئید (4/13 میلی‌گرم بر گرم) و بتاکاروتن (4/9 میلی‌گرم بر گرم) شد. فعالیت آنزیم سوپراکسید دیسموتاز با کاهش فشار اتمسفری افزایش یافت، درحالی‌که فعالیت آنزیم کاتالاز در فشار 80 میلی‌بار کاهش یافت. نتایج این پژوهش نشان داد که قابلیت رشد سلول‌های جلبک تحت تغییر فشار اتمسفری مرتبط با تغییر متابولیسم سلولی و افزایش ظرفیت آنتی‌اکسیدانی است.

Keywords Persian

بتا-کاروتن

کاهش فشار اتمسفری

دونالیلا سالینا

رشد

سوپراکسید دیسموتاز

[1] E. D. Revellame, R. Aguda, A. Chistoserdov, D. L. Fortela, R. A. Hernandez, and M. E. Zappi, "Microalgae cultivation for space exploration: assessing the potential for a new generation of waste to human life-support system for long duration space travel and planetary human habitation," Algal Research, vol. 55, 2021, Art. no. 102258, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2021.102258.

[2] C. D. O. Rangel Yagui, E. D. G. Danesi, J. C. M. De Carvalho, and S. Sato, "Chlorophyll production from Spirulina platensis: Cultivation with urea addition by fed-batch process," Bioresource Technology, vol. 92, no. 2, pp. 133–141, 2004, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2003.09.002.

[3] G. Horneck et al., "Humex, a study on the survivability and adaptation of humans to long-duration exploratory missions, part I: Lunar missions," Advances in Space Research, vol. 31, no. 11, pp. 2389–2401, 2003, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(03)00568-4.

[4] F. Forget, "The present and past climates of planet Mars," in European Physical Journal Conferences, (EPJ Web of Conferences), 2009, vol. 1, pp. 235–248, https://doi.org/10.1140/epjconf/e2009-0924-9.

[5] L. Yang et al., "Microalgae biotechnology as an attempt for bioregenerative life support systems: Problems and prospects," Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology, vol. 94, no. 10, pp. 3039-3048, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6159.

[6] C. Verseux, M. Baqué, K. Lehto, J. P. P. De Vera, L. J. Rothschild, and D. Billi, "Sustainable life support on Mars – the potential roles of cyanobacteria," International Journal of Astrobiology, vol. 15, Special Issue 1: Special Issue lucal , pp. 65–92, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1017/S147355041500021X.

[7] L. A. Lewis and P. O. Lewis, "Unearthing the molecular phylodiversity of desert soil green algae (Chlorophyta)," Systematic Biology, vol. 54, no. 6, pp. 936–947, 2005, https://doi.org/10.1080/10635150500354852.

[8] I. Garbayo et al, "Identification and physiological aspects of a novel carotenoid-enriched, metal-resistant microalga isolated from an acidic river in Huelva (Spain)," Journal of Phycology, vol. 48, no. 3, pp. 607–614, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1529-8817.2012.01160.x.

[9] T. Niederwieser, P. Kociolek, and D. Klaus, "A review of algal research in space," Acta Astronautica, vol. 146, pp. 359–367, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2018.03.026.

[10] U. K. Roy, B. V. Nielsen, and J. J. Milledge, "Antioxidant production in Dunaliella," Applied Sciences, vol. 11, no. 9, 2021, Art. no. 3959, https://doi.org/10.3390/app11093959.

[11] M. M. Haghjou, M. Shariati, and N. Smirnoff, "The effect of acute high light and low temperature stresses on the ascorbate–glutathione cycle and superoxide dismutase activity in two Dunaliella salina strains," Physiologia Plantarum, vol. 135, no. 3, pp. 272–280, 2009, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3054.2008.01193.x.

[12] S. K. Saha, S. Moane, and P. Murray, "Effect of macro-and micro-nutrient limitation on superoxide dismutase activities and carotenoid levels in microalga Dunaliella salina CCAP 19/18," Bioresource Technology, vol. 147, pp. 23-28, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2013.08.022.

[13] M. Wu et al, "Effects of different abiotic stresses on carotenoid and fatty acid metabolism in the green microalga Dunaliella salina Y6," Annals of Microbiology, vol. 70, 2020, Art. no. 48, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13213-020-01588-3.

[14] L. M. Cycil et al, "Investigating the growth of algae under low atmospheric pressures for potential food and oxygen production on Mars," Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 12, 2021, Art. no. 12:733244, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.733244.

[15] W. L. Nicholson, K. Krivushin, D. Gilichinsky, and A. C. Schuerger, "Growth of Carnobacterium spp. from permafrost under low pressure, temperature, and anoxic atmosphere has implications for Earth microbes on Mars," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences(PNAS), vol. 110, no. 2, pp. 666-671, 2012, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1209793110.

[16] H. Lv, X. Cui, F. Wahid, F. Xia, C. Zhong, and S. Jia, "Analysis of the physiological and molecular responses of Dunaliella salina to macronutrient deprivation," PLOS One, vol. 11, no. 3, 2016, Art. no. e0152226, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152226.

[17].H. K. Lichtenthaler and C. Buschmann, "Chlorophylls and carotenoids: measurement and characterization by UV‐VIS spectroscopy," Current Protocols in Food Analytical Chemistry, vol. 1, no. 1, 2001, Art. no. F4.3.1-F4.3.8, https://doi.org/10.1002/0471142913.faf0403s01.

[18] M. H. Morowvat and Y. Ghasemi, "Culture medium optimization for enhanced β-carotene and biomass production by Dunaliella salina in mixotrophic culture," Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, vol. 7, pp. 217-223, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2016.06.008.

[19] M. M. Bradford, "A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding," Analytical Biochemistry, vol. 72, no. 1-2, pp. 248-254, 1976, https://doi.org/10.1016/0003-2697(76)90527-3.

[20] C. N. Giannopolitis and S. K. Ries, "Superoxide dismutases II. purification and quantitative relationship with water-soluble protein in seedlings," Journal Plant Physiology, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 315-318, 1977, https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.59.2.315.

[21] S. Jebara, M. Jebara, F. Limam, and M. E. Aouani, "Changes in ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, guaiacol peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) nodules under salt stress," Journal of Plant Physiology, vol. 162, no. 8, pp. 929-936, 2005, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2004.10.005.

[22] H. Hassanpour, "Potential impact of red-blue LED light on callus growth, cell viability, and secondary metabolism of Hyoscyamus reticulatus," In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology-Plant, vol. 58, pp. 256-265, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-021-10232-x.

[23] D. M. Orcutt, B. Richardson, and R. D. Holden, "Effects of hypobaric and hyperbaric helium atmospheres on the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana," Applied Microbiology, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 182–183, 1970, https://doi.org/10.1128/am.19.1.182-183.1970.

[24] L. Qin, Q. Yu, W. Ai, Y. Tang, J. Ren, and S. Guo, "Response of cyanobacteria to low atmospheric pressure," Life Sciences in Space Research, vol. 3, pp. 55-62, 2014, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2014.09.001.

[25] J. Yang, L. Ma, H. Jiang, G. Wu, and H. Dong, "Salinity shapes microbial diversity and community structure in surface sediments of the Qinghai-Tibetan Lakes," Scientific Reports, vol. 6, 2016, Art. no. 25078, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep25078.

[26] G. W. Stutte et al., "Effect of reduced atmospheric pressure on growth and quality of two lettuce cultivars," Life Sciences in Space Research, vol. 34, pp. 37-44, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lssr.2022.06.001.

[27].H. Hassanpour, A. Eydi, and M. Hekmati, "Electromagnetic field improved nanoparticle impact on antioxidant activity and secondary metabolite production in Anthemis gilanica seedlings," International Journal of Agronomy, vol. 2021, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2021, Art. no. 8730234, https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8730234.

[28] H. Hassanpour, "Antioxidant metabolism and oxidative damage in Anthemis gilanica cell line under fast clinorotation," Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), vol. 150, pp. 709-719, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-022-02324-2.

[29] R. Madhusudhan, T. Ishikawa, Y. Sawa, S. Shigeoka, and H. Shibata, "Post-transcritional regulation of ascorbate peroxidase during light adaptation of Euglena gracilis," Plant Science, vol. 165, no. 1, pp. 233–238, 2003, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0168-9452(03)00164-X