Survey of the allelopathic potential of Mediterranean macroalgae: production of long-chain polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs)

Chemical interactions between macroalgae and other organisms play an important role in determining species compositions and dominance patterns, and can explain the widespread success of some species in establishing their predominant populations in a specific coastal area. Allelopathy could act as a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Phytochemistry (Oxford) 2021-09, Vol.189, p.112826-112826, Article 112826
Main Authors: Pezzolesi, Laura, Accoroni, Stefano, Rindi, Fabio, Samorì, Chiara, Totti, Cecilia, Pistocchi, Rossella
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Benthic ecosystem
Dictyopteris polypodioides
Dictyotaceae
GC-MS
Macroalgae
Polyunsaturated aldehydes
Ulva
Ulvaceae
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Summary:Chemical interactions between macroalgae and other organisms play an important role in determining species compositions and dominance patterns, and can explain the widespread success of some species in establishing their predominant populations in a specific coastal area. Allelopathy could act as a self-regulatory strategy of the algal community, being not only a succession regulator but also an active mechanism maintaining the species diversity especially in a delimited environment, such as the benthic ecosystem. Polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) are among the most studied allelopathic compounds and are commonly released into the aquatic environment by different phytoplankton species in response to environmental stressors (e.g. wounding, grazing, or competition for nutrients). Diatom-released PUAs were observed to affect phytoplankton community dynamics and structure, and showed inhibitory effects on the reproduction and development of marine invertebrates. As for macroalgae, there are only a few reports that attest to the production of PUAs, and mostly refer to Ulva spp. In this study, the production of PUAs by several Mediterranean macroalgae was investigated at different sampling times, aiming at providing the first evidence of potential allelochemical activity. Results highlighted the potential production by macroalgae of a variety of aldehydes, among which some have never reported so far. Some species (i.e. D. polypodioides and U. cf. rigida) were found to produce higher PUAs amounts than others, and even a wider variety of structures (e.g. length of the carbon chain); these species might exert strong effects on epiphytic species or other organisms of the benthic community, especially considering the differential sensitivities of the various taxa. A high dPUA concentration (order of μM) potentially due to the release of PUAs by algal species was found, and might affect the population dynamics of the epiphytic organisms (e.g. microalgae, meiofauna), of grazers, as well as of the microbial community. [Display omitted] •Macroalgae produce a variety of aldehydes, including long-chain PUAs.•In the benthic environment high dPUA concentrations (order of μM) were found.•D. polypodioides and U. cf. rigida were found to produce high PUAs amounts.•Previously undescribed aldehydes were detected in macroalgae.
ISSN:0031-9422
1873-3700
DOI:10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112826