Occurrence of 3-hydroxy acids in microalgae and cyanobacteria and their geochemical significance

Abstract

3-Hydroxy acids were detected in pure cultured microalgae: Chlorophyta— Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Rhodophyta— Cyanidium caldarium (two strains), and cyanobacteria (Cyanophyta)— Anacystis nidulans, Phormidium foveolarum, Anabaena variabilis and Oscillatoria sp. Normal and branched (iso and anteiso) 3-hydroxy acids in the ranges of C 8-C 26 were found in all the samples studied at concentrations ranging from 0.036 to 2.3 and 0.000 to 0.12 mg g −1 of dry sample, respectively. The major constituents were generally even-carbon numbered normal acids with carbon chain lengths below C 20. Microalgae and cyanobacteria may be the important sources of 3-hydroxy acids in natural environments.