Blue-green Alga Oscillatoria Research Articles

Bio-synthesis of silver nanoparticles with the brackish water blue-green alga Oscillatoria princeps and antibacterial assessment

This study describes the morphology of a filamentous non-heterocystous blue-green alga (cyanobacterium) Oscillatoria princeps isolated from the Bhabakundalswara sea mouth, its use in biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), along with antimicrobial studies using multidrug resistant (MDR) methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes and Escherichia coli, isolated from clinical samples. The synthesized O. princeps -AgNPs were characterized with UV–visible spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering analysis (DLS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analyses. The synthesized AgNPs had remarkable antibacterial activities against MDR strains of MRSA, S. pyogenes and E. coli with the inhibitory zone sizes, 14–16 mm as recorded from agar well diffusion method, while MIC values were 100, 80, 60 µg/ml, for the respective cited bacterial species. Thus, O. princeps -AgNPs in future would be druggable antibacterials.

Comparison of water quality and its influences on phytoplankton abundance based on water characteristics in coastal of Banyuwangi Regency, Jawa Timur, Indonesia

Coastal waters of Banyuwangi Regency, East Java, Indonesia obtains water resources from residential areas, the fishing industry, the shipping industry in the surrounding area. This study aims to determine the influences of water quality on phytoplankton abundance, seen from differences characteristics of coastal waters of Banyuwangi. The research method is descriptive. Data collection technique is observation, with the required data including water quality parameters (Sn, PO4, Total Organic Matter, NO3, Cu Copper, DO, Water Temperature, Pb, Salinity, Alkalinity, pH, and NH4) and phytoplankton. The analysis used plankton abundance analysis calculated using the Lachlan modification formula (1982), and multiple regression analysis. The analysis result showed that the type of phytoplankton found was green algae Chlorella type and blue-green algae Oscillatoria type. The abundance of phytoplankton in the coastal area of Banyuwangi is around 12.5 - 513.75 ind/L, where it is included in the level of eutrophic phytoplankton abundance, which waters in a high fertility. There is an influence between water quality on the abundance of phytoplankton on the coast of Wongsorejo, Banyuwangi and Blimbingsari Districts. Whereas in Lampon (Pesanggaran subdistrict), water quality does not affect the abundance of phytoplankton.

Toxic Effects of Purified Microcystins from Soil Blue-Green Alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata on Tomato Plant Lycopersicon esculentum

The current study included the isolation, purification and cultivation of blue-green alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata G.Schmidle from soil using the BG-11liquid culture medium for 60 days of cultivation. The growth constant (k) and generation time (G) were measured which (K=0.144) and (G=2.09 days).
 Microcystins were purified and determined qualitatively and quantitatively from this alga by using the technique of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa Kits). The alga showed the ability to produce microcystins in concentration reached 1.47 µg/L for each 50 mg DW. Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) aged two months were irrigated with three concentrations of purified microcystins 0.5 , 3.0 and 6.0 µg/L for 24 days. The results showed that the highest bioaccumulation of these toxins was found in the plant group treated with concentration 6.0 μg/L, with an average of 12.278 µg/L in the entire plant body, with a daily accumulation rate of 0.511 µg/day compared with control group and other treatments (p≤0.05).
 The highly accumulation of toxin was found in roots followed in descending order by stems and leaves respectively and were directly proportional to the increased concentration of purified microcystins. The study indicated that there were significant changes (p≤0.05) in the plant height, length of roots and surface area of the leaves and the leaves appeared pale green in color, which increased with increasing the concentration of purified toxin. The obtained results also showed a significant decrease in the concentration of carbohydrates and chlorophylls by increasing concentrations of purified toxins.

Toxic Effects of Purified Microcystins from Soil Blue-Green Alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata on Tomato Plant Lycopersicon esculentum

The current study included the isolation, purification and cultivation of blue-green alga Oscillatoria pseudogeminata G.Schmidle from soil using the BG-11liquid culture medium for 60 days of cultivation. The growth constant (k) and generation time (G) were measured which (K=0.144) and (G=2.09 days).
 Microcystins were purified and determined qualitatively and quantitatively from this alga by using the technique of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa Kits). The alga showed the ability to produce microcystins in concentration reached 1.47 µg/L for each 50 mg DW. Tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum) aged two months were irrigated with three concentrations of purified microcystins 0.5 , 3.0 and 6.0 µg/L for 24 days. The results showed that the highest bioaccumulation of these toxins was found in the plant group treated with concentration 6.0 μg/L, with an average of 12.278 µg/L in the entire plant body, with a daily accumulation rate of 0.511 µg/day compared with control group and other treatments (p≤0.05).
 The highly accumulation of toxin was found in roots followed in descending order by stems and leaves respectively and were directly proportional to the increased concentration of purified microcystins. The study indicated that there were significant changes (p≤0.05) in the plant height, length of roots and surface area of the leaves and the leaves appeared pale green in color, which increased with increasing the concentration of purified toxin. The obtained results also showed a significant decrease in the concentration of carbohydrates and chlorophylls by increasing concentrations of purified toxins.

Spatial variation of epiphytic microalgae composition in Ulva spp. (Chlorophyta: Ulvaceae) in the Santiago de Cuba bay

The floristic composition of epiphytic microalgae on Ulva spp. in the bay of Santiago de Cuba wasdetermined. Sampling was carried out in five locations (Alameda, Punta Sal, Belmare, Cayo Caracoles and Granma) located according to a pollution gradient, from February to May 2007. We identified 27 species belonging to 24 genera and 3 divisions, on Ulva lactuca, U. fasciata, U. flexuosa and U. rigida. The taxocoenosis of epiphytic microalgae was dominated by five species of diatoms (Cocconeis pinnata, Eunotia sp. Licmophora lyngbyei, Pinnularia sp., Navicula sp.) and two of the blue-green algae (Anabaena lemmermannii and Oscillatoria limosa). The greatest richness of epiphytic species was recorded on February and March. Their distribution seems to be conditioned by abundance and distribution of the substrate, thallus shape and contamination level. The lowest richness of epiphytic microalgae was observed in Alameda and Punta Sal (the interior lobe of the bay), which are more contaminated, and a higher richness was observed in healthier localities: Belmare, Cayo Caracoles and Granma, from the outer lobe.

Forecasting and explanation of algal dynamics in two shallow lakes by recurrent artificial neural network and hybrid evolutionary algorithm

Long-term time-series of the two eutrophic Dutch lakes Veluwemeer and Wolderwijd were subject to predictive modelling by recurrent supervised ANN (RANN) and hybrid evolutionary algorithms (HEA). A combination of bottom-up and top-down eutrophication control measures has been implemented in both lakes since 1979. Dividing the time-series data into training and validation datasets based on three distinctive management periods has facilitated a comparative analysis of the two lakes regarding the long-term dynamics in response to eutrophication control. Results of the study have demonstrated that RANN and HEA can be applied for (1) 5-day-ahead prediction of Oscillatoria spp. and (2) 5-day-ahead prediction of Scenedesmus spp. Firstly RANN achieved reasonably accurate results for 5-day-ahead forecasting of abundances of blue-green algae Oscillatoria and green algae Scenedesmus in both lakes. Secondly HEA achieved similar good forecasting results and also provided model representations for both algae species in the form of rule sets. The limitation with single lake models is that the rule sets discovered are lake specific. Merging of the two lake datasets using merged lake models for both training and testing have produced simpler and generic rule sets that explain the dynamics of Oscillatoria and Scenedesmus for both lakes. The results from this study have shown that both external nutrient control combined with food web manipulation have turned the lakes from hypereutrophic conditions and from Oscillatoria to Scenedesmus dominance. These complex dynamics that are associated with the shift from periods of turbid with Oscillatoria dominance to clear-water conditions with increased Scenedesmus in both lakes are predictable and can be explained by the key-driving variables in the generic rule sets discovered.

Synthesis of (+)-Acutiphycin

(+)-Acutiphycin, isolated from the blue-green alga Oscillatoria acutissma, displays in vivo activity against Lewis lung carcinoma and is cytotoxic toward various cancer cell lines. Noteworthy in this synthesis is (1) the three-stage, one-pot preparation of δ-lactone H, (2) an intermolecular SmI2-mediated Reformatsky reaction and (3) macrolactonization by intramolecular ketene capture.

Algicidal and antifungal compounds from the roots of Ruta graveolens and synthesis of their analogs

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract of Ruta graveolens roots yielded rutacridone epoxide with potent selective algicidal activity towards the 2-methyl-isoborneol (MIB)-producing blue-green alga Oscillatoria perornata, with relatively little effect on the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum. The diol-analog of rutacridone epoxide, gravacridondiol, which was also present in the same extract, had significantly less activity towards O. perornata. Rutacridone epoxide also showed significantly higher activity than commercial fungicides captan and benomyl in our micro-bioassay against the agriculturally important pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum fragariae, C. gloeosporioides, C. acutatum, and Botrytis cineara and Fusarium oxysporium. Rutacridone epoxide is reported as a direct-acting mutagen, precluding its use as an agrochemical. In order to understand the structure–activity relationships and to develop new potential biocides without toxicity and mutagenicity, some analogs containing the (2-methyloxiranyl)-dihydrobenzofuran moiety with an epoxide were synthesized and tested. None of the synthetic analogs showed comparable activities to rutacridone epoxide. The absolute stereochemistry of rutacridone was determined to be 2′(R) and that of rutacridone epoxide to be 2′(R), 3′(R) by CD and NMR analysis.

Knowledge discovery for prediction and explanation of blue-green algal dynamics in lakes by evolutionary algorithms

This paper applies an evolutionary algorithm to the problem of knowledge discovery on blue-green algae dynamics in a hypertrophic lake. Patterns in chemical and physical parameters of the lake and corresponding presence or absence of highly abundant blue-green algae species such as Microcystis spp, Oscillatoria spp and Phormidium spp are discovered by the machine learning algorithm. Learnt patterns are represented explicitly as classification rules, which allow their underlying hypothesis to be examined. Models are developed for the filamentous blue-green algae Oscillatoria spp and Phormidium spp, and the colonial blue-green algae Microcystis spp. Hypothesized environmental conditions which favour blooms of the three species are contrasted and examined. The models are evaluated on independent test data to demonstrate that models can be evolved which differentiate algae species on the basis of the environmental attributes provided.

Algal Communities Associated with Different Alpine Stream Types

We investigated major physical-chemical characteristics and benthic algae of different alpine lotic systems comprising streams and lake outlets of rhithral and kryal origin over an annual cycle. We also evaluated the structure of the algal communities and its relation to environmental characteristics for the different stream types. Algal communities were generally dominated by diatoms, Cyanophyta, and Hydrurus foetidus (Chrysophyceae). Community structure was similar among alpine streams and lake outlets, but more algal taxa occurred in lake outlets (rhithral and kryal) than in kryal streams. Although algae were identified mainly to genera, distinct patterns in community structure were evident. A major environmental determinant of the algal community among stream types was the presence of a glacier and resulting seasonal differences in flow, temperature, and turbidity. An upstream lake was a secondary determinant in buffering seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions thus leading to greater stability. Algal communities, consequently, were more diverse and less seasonally variable at lake outlets. The diatom genera Amphora, Denticula, Fragilaria, Gomphonema, Nitzschia, and Synedra and the blue-green algae Oscillatoria and Phormidium were characteristic of lake outlets, whereas Chamaesiphon (blue-green) and Hydrurus foetidus were indicative of kryal sites.

Algal Communities Associated with Different Alpine Stream Types

We investigated major physical-chemical characteristics and benthic algae of different alpine lotic systems comprising streams and lake outlets of rhithral and kryal origin over an annual cycle. We also evaluated the structure of the algal communities and its relation to environmental characteristics for the different stream types. Algal communities were generally dominated by diatoms, Cyanophyta, and Hydrurus foetidus (Chrysophyceae). Community structure was similar among alpine streams and lake outlets, but more algal taxa occurred in lake outlets (rhithral and kryal) than in kryal streams. Although algae were identified mainly to genera, distinct patterns in community structure were evident. A major environmental determinant of the algal community among stream types was the presence of a glacier and resulting seasonal differences in flow, temperature, and turbidity. An upstream lake was a secondary determinant in buffering seasonal fluctuations in environmental conditions thus leading to greater stability. Algal communities, consequently, were more diverse and less seasonally variable at lake outlets. The diatom genera Amphora, Denticula, Fragilaria, Gomphonema, Nitzschia, and Synedra and the blue-green algae Oscillatoria and Phormidium were characteristic of lake outlets, whereas Chamaesiphon (blue-green) and Hydrurus foetidus were indicative of kryal sites.

Toxic Effect of Certain Metals Mixture on Some Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Freshwater Algae

The toxic effect of multi metals mixture which exist simultaneously in aquatic ecosystem on natural phytoplankton assemblages (green algae, blue-green algae and diatoms) was studied. For this purpose a laboratory scale unit was designed to evaluate the effect of continuous flow metals mixture in forms if triple and penta metals in Nile water algae. Clear changes in algal biomass in terms of chlorophyll a (chl a) took place when subjected to metals combination. The rise or decline in chl a was in relation with other algal pigments (chl b, chl c, carotenoides and phenophytin), protein and carbohydrate content of algal cells. Substantial changes in phytoplankton community structure was detected and the most tolerant group was blue-green algae followed by green algae while diatoms was the most sensitive group. The most dominant species in all cases were blue-green alga Oscillatoria mougeotii and green alga Scenedesmus quadricauda. In addition clear changes in morphological shape was observed for tolerant species belonging to the three algal groups. Nile water algae has ability to remove and accumulate metals in the following order therefore Zn > Cd > Ni > Cu > Cr. In addition, phytoplankton has ability to recovered from the stress of metals when eliminated from the media and the recovered biomass was nearly equivalent to that before exposing to metals stress. The overall effect of metals mixture depending on the type and number of metals, the algal community structure and ratio between different morphological forms of algae (unicellular, colonial and filamentous).

Toxicity of the blue-green alga Oscillatoria agardhii to the mosquito Aedes aegypti and the shrimp Artemia salina

The cyanobacterium Oscillatoria agardhii 27, which does not produce mammalian neuro- or hepatotoxins, was highly toxic to the larval stages of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti: its 24-h LC50 values against fourth-and second-instar larvae of A. aegypti were 8.7 and 6.1 μg live cells/ml, respectively. The toxin was water-soluble and was partially purified but the chemical nature of the toxic compound(s) is still unknown. Aqueous solutions were also toxic to the newborn larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina, used for the bioassay. The toxic activity of these solutions decreased markedly on heating to ≧90°C for 15 min.

Oscillariolide, a novel macrolide from a blue-green alga Oscillatoria sp.

Oscillariolide, a novel macrolide and an inhibitor of development of fertilized echinoderm eggs, was isolated from a marine blue-reen alga Oscillatoria sp. Its future was elucidated to be 1 on the basis of spectral data.

The Influence of Extracellular Algal Products on the Surface Tension of Water

By means of laboratory experiments and field investigations in Lake Zürich, the influence of extracellular algal products on the surface tension of water was investigated. Of interest to us was the question of whether a reduction in the surface tension, i.e. surface pressure, is dependent on (i) algal species or phytoplankton and phytoneuston community, (ii) the growth phase of the species or community concerned, and (iii) the abundance or concentration of phytoplankton and phytoneuston biomass. A dependence was ascertained in the case of the first two points. The laboratory experiments showed that extracellular products originating from diatoms give rise to a distinctly higher surface pressure than those originating from green and blue-green algae; and that the change in surface pressure occurs during the later part of the stationary algal growth phase. In Lake Zürich, high values of surface pressure were measured at the time of the collapse of the diatom bloom, and comparatively low values during the period of dominance of the blue-green alga Oscillatoria rubescens in the winter months. Changes in surface pressure established during the course of a year can thus be explained partly in terms of the phytoplankton and phytoneuston succession.

Phytoplankton Dynamics in Three Rocky Mountain Lakes, Colorado, U.S.A.

In 1984 and 1985 seasonal changes in phytoplankton were studied in a system of three lakes in Loch Vale, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. Three periods were evident: (1) A spring bloom, during snowmelt, of the planktonic diatom Asterionellaformosa, (2) a midsummer period of minimal algal abundance, and (3) a fall bloom of the blue-green alga Oscillatoria limnetica. Seasonal phytoplankton dynamics in these lakes are controlled partially by the rapid flushing rate during snowmelt and the transport of phytoplankton from the highest lake to the lower lakes by the stream, Icy Brook. During snowmelt, the A. formosa population in the most downstream lake has a net rate of increase of 0.34 d-l, which is calculated from the flushing rate and from the A. formosa abundance in the inflow from the upstream lake and in the downstream lake. Measurement of photosynthetic rates at different depths during the three periods confirmed the rapid growth of A. formosa during the spring. The decline in A. formosa after snowmelt may be related to grazing by developing zooplankton populations. The possible importance of the seasonal variations in nitrate concentrations were evaluated in situ enrichment experiments. For A. formosa and 0. limnetica populations, growth stimulation resulted from 8- or 16-micromolar amendments of calcium nitrate and sulfuric acid, but the reason for this stimulation could not be determined from these experiments.

Components of natural gas resulting from thermal degradation of the blue-green alga (cyanobacterium)Oscillatoria tenuis

Cultures of the blue-green alga (cyanobacterium)Oscillatoria tenuis were used to simulate thermal degradation and gas formation by heating without oxygen at 250° and 350 °C for 100 h. Analysis through gas chromatography showed that the gases were mainly CH4, C2H6, C3H8, iC4 (isobutane), nC4 (normal butane), iC5 (isopentane), nC5 (normal pentane), H2, C02 and N2. The volume of gases per g dry weight of alga was 44 ml at 250 °C and 100 ml at 350 °C. Alkane gas comprised only 2.04% of the total at 250 °C and rising to 40.0% at 350 °C. The fraction of C02 decreased from 83.3% at 250 °C to 40.0% at 350 °C. The quantity of alkane in the soluble organic matter doubled with rising temperature but the H/C atomic ratio in the ‘kerogen’, insoluble organic matter, decreased sharply. Infrared spectra of the ‘kerogen’ showed that the peak of adipose radical at 2900 cm−1 disappeared gradually with rising temperature, which reflects the gradual break of CH4 or C2H6 from ‘kerogen’. This demonstrates that insoluble organic matter rather than soluble organic matter in blue-green algae are the main sources of the gas alkanes in the process of simulated thermal degradation.

Immunochemical Comparative Study on RuBP Carboxylase/Oxygenase of Different Tobacco Mutants Exhibiting Different Levels of Photorespiration

By means of the immunochemical methods of double immuno diffusion and tandem crossed immuno electrophoresis we have compared the bifunctional enzyme RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase from tobacco mutants which differ with respect to their rates of photosynthesis and photorespiration. The comparative studies were carried out with a monospecific antiserum to the enzyme of the wild type Nicotiana tabacum var. John William’s Broadleaf. RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase from the green, yellow-green and yellow phenotype of the mutants namely N. tabacum Su/su, N. tabacum Su/su var. Aurea, N. tabacum var. Consolation, N. tabacum var. NC 95 and N. tabacum Xanthi (D 523) are immunochemical^ identical to the enzyme of the wild type N. tabacum var. John William’s Broadleaf. Furthermore, immunochemical identity of the RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase exists between Nicotiana tabacum and other representatives of the Solanaceae such as Solanum tuberosum, S. lycopersicum and Datura suaveolens. In contrast to this only partial identity to the enzymes of the C3-plants Antirrhinum majus, Spinacia oleracea, Sinapsis alba, Petroselinum crispum, Allium porrum, Hordeum vulgare, Avena sativa to the enzymes of the green alga Chlorella vulgaris and to the blue-green alga Oscillatoria chalybea as well as to the enzyme of the C4-plant Zea mays is observed.

Modelling steady-state growth and photosynthesis rates of Oscillatoria rubescens continuous cultures in relation to temperature and irradiance

The lacustrine blue-green alga (= Cyanobacterium) Oscillatoria rubescens D.C. was cultured in chemostats with temperature and light intensity as the only limiting factors. The experiments were carried out under combinations of three temperatures 10, 20 and 30°C and three irradiances 6, 18 and 30 μE m −2 s −1 . Dilution rate, photosynthesis rate and a large number of abiotic and cellular factors were regularly measured to determine steady-state periods and the level of the associated variables. Various mathematical models were fitted with series of data by a non-linear regression method derived from Marquardt's method. Four models for calculation of specific growth rate and photosynthesis rate are presented. The last one computes growth rate from calculated photosynthesis: μ = μ maxpmaxI /[ KpKi + I ( Kp + Pmax )], with Pmax =100 + 257 T and K1 = 300/chl a . Values of adjusted parameters are discussed. One conclusion confirms that values of maximal growth rates and half-saturation constants frequently considered in the literature as absolute species characteristics should always be considered as relative to associated prevalent growth conditions.

Coral-spawn slicks in the Great Barrier Reef: preliminary observations

Aerial surveys and surface samples in the spring of 1985, showed that slicks of coral eggs and embryos (coral spawn) formed in large numbers within and between reefs in the Central Great Barrier Reef Region. Coral-spawn slicks appeared on the days immediately following the annual mass multispecific spawning of reef corals. They were white or pink in colour, and were often highly elongate in form extending up to 5 km in length, and 10 m in width. Over 99% of each slick sampled during the surveys consisted of dead eggs, embryos and their breakdown products, which formed dense, highly viscous patches readily recognizable during aerial surveys. Despite the low proportion of live material, the slicks contained high concentrations of live embryos (15 to 230 per litre) which were over two orders of magnitude greater than concentrations in adjacent water masses. The distinctive colour, shape and texture of the coral-spawn slicks generally distinguished them from slicks formed by blooms of the blue-green alga Oscillatoria erythraea, which also occur commonly in the region. Many of the slicks were closely associated with surface oceanographic features, such as fronts between water parcels, and wakes and eddies behind reefs. Although more detailed sampling and surveys are required, these results suggest that it may be possible to track the movements of coral embryos and larvae directly for the first one or two days following mass spawning, and indirectly thereafter by monitoring other surface features.