Impact of environmental pollution on cyanobacterial proline content

Abstract

This study describes the toxic effects of different prominent aquatic pollutants—heavy metals (Cd & Pb), pesticides (alphamethrin and deltamethrin) and salt (NaCl)—on the intracellular proline content in the cyanobacterium, Westiellopsis prolifica–Janet strain–NCCU331. Despite a reduction in growth (measured as chlorophyll a content), the intracellular proline content increased in the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and high salt concentration. The intracellular cyanobacterial proline accumulation was more pronounced under salt stress than in the presence of pesticides and heavy metals. We have also compared whether or not anionic components influence heavy metal toxicity. It was found that the chlorides of Cd and Pb were more toxic than the NO3 and the order of toxicity was CdCl2 > PbCl2 > Cd (NO3)2 > Pb (NO3)2. Among pyrethroids, deltamethrin was more toxic than alphamethrin.