Variability of the pigment apparatus in Cyanophyta depending on carbon nutrition conditions

Abstract

Variability of composition, pigment content (chlorophyll a, carotenoids, phycobiliproteins) and biomass accumulation have been studied in two strains of Nostoc punctiforme (Kütz.) Hariot (strain 38 and 39) and N. muscorum Ag. (strain 81) under conditions of different types of carbon nutrition. Infraspecific and interspecific variability of chromatic characteristics is found under heterotrophic (in light and darkness) conditions of Cyanophyta cultivation. Under the test conditions interspecific variability of pigments essentially prevailed over the infraspecific. All studied species of the genus Nostoc Vauch. differ in degree of photo- and heterotrophy. It has been established that variations in carbon nutrition conditions result both in destructive and in adaptive changes in the pigment content in the representatives of this genus. Physiological adaptation of the pigment apparatus of Cyanophyta on the photoheterotrophic type of nutrition with diurone is aimed at compensatory strengthening of the photosystem II activity, which is confirmed by intensification of synthesis in phycobilin pigments.