The Metabolism of Reactive Oxygen Species and Their Effects on Lipid Biosynthesis of Microalgae

Microalgae have outstanding abilities to transform carbon dioxide (CO₂) into useful lipids, which makes them extremely promising as renewable sources for manufacturing beneficial compounds. However, during this process, reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be inevitably formed via electron transfers in basal metabolisms. While the excessive accumulation of ROS can have negative effects, it has been supported that proper accumulation of ROS is essential to these organisms. Recent studies have shown that ROS increases are closely related to total lipid in microalgae under stress conditions. However, the exact mechanism behind this phenomenon remains largely unknown. Therefore, this paper aims to introduce the production and elimination of ROS in microalgae. The roles of ROS in three different signaling pathways for lipid biosynthesis are then reviewed: receptor proteins and phosphatases, as well as redox-sensitive transcription factors. Moreover, the strategies and applications of ROS-induced lipid biosynthesis in microalgae are summarized. Finally, future perspectives in this emerging field are also mentioned, appealing to more researchers to further explore the relative mechanisms. This may contribute to improving lipid accumulation in microalgae.

Occurrence of microcystins, anabaenopeptins and other cyanotoxins in fish from a freshwater wildlife reserve impacted by harmful cyanobacterial blooms

Harmful algal blooms of cyanobacteria (CyanoHABs) can lead to the release of potent toxins that can seriously affect ecosystem integrity. Some freshwater watersheds are particularly at risk considering the threats to already imperiled wildlife. The consumption of tainted drinking water and contaminated food also raises concerns for human health. In the present study, a pilot survey was conducted in the riverine ecosystem of the Pike River Ecological Reserve (QC, Canada) near Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain. We examined the occurrence of multiclass cyanotoxins including 12 microcystins, anatoxins, cylindrospermopsin (CYN), anabaenopeptins (AP-A, AP-B), and cyanopeptolin-A in surface waters and wild-caught fish during the summer 2018. Out of the 18 targeted cyanotoxins, 14 were detected in bloom-impacted surface water samples; toxins peaked during early-mid September with the highest concentrations for MC-LR (3.8 μg L^-1) and MC-RR (2.9 μg L^-1). Among the 71 field-collected fish from 10 species, 30% had positive detections to at least one cyanotoxin. In positive samples, concentration ranges in fish muscle were as follows for summed microcystins (∑MCs: 0.16-9.2 μg kg^-1), CYN (46-75 μg kg^-1), AP-A (1.1-5.4 μg kg^-1), and AP-B (0.12-5.0 μg kg^-1). To the best of our knowledge, this is one the first reports of anabaenopeptins occurrence in wildlife. The maximum ∑MCs in fish was 1.15-fold higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) daily intake recommendation for adults and nearly equated the derived value for young children. The concentration of CYN was also about 3-fold higher than the limit derived from the human health guideline values.

Robust natural ultraviolet filters from marine ecosystems for the formulation of environmental friendlier bio-sunscreens

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has detrimental effects on human health. It induces oxidative stress, deregulates signaling mechanisms, and produces DNA mutations, factors that ultimately can lead to the development of skin cancer. Therefore, reducing exposure to UVR is of major importance. Among available measures to diminish exposure is the use of sunscreens. However, recent studies indicate that several of the currently used filters have adverse effects on marine ecosystems and human health. This situation leads to the search for new photoprotective compounds that, apart from offering protection, are environmentally friendly. The answer may lie in the same marine ecosystems since molecules such as mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) and scytonemin can serve as the defense system of some marine organisms against UVR. This review will discuss the harmful effects of UVR and the mechanisms that microalgae have developed to cope with it. Then it will focus on the biological distribution, characteristics, extraction, and purification methods of MAAs and scytonemin molecules to finally assess its potential as new filters for sunscreen formulation.

Engineering isoprene synthesis in cyanobacteria

The renewable production of isoprene (Isp) hydrocarbons, to serve as fuel and synthetic chemistry feedstock, has attracted interest in the field recently. Isp (C₅ H₈ ) is naturally produced from sunlight, CO₂ and H₂ O photosynthetically in terrestrial plant chloroplasts via the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway and emitted in the atmosphere as a response to heat stress. Efforts to institute a high capacity continuous and renewable process have included heterologous expression of the Isp synthesis pathway in photosynthetic microorganisms. This review examines the premise and promise emanating from this relatively new research effort. Also examined are the metabolic engineering approaches applied in the quest of renewable Isp hydrocarbons production, the progress achieved so far, and barriers encountered along the way.