Effect of benthic and planktonic diatoms on the growth and biochemical composition of the commercial macroalga Pyropia haitanensis

Vishal Patil; Lin Sun; Vitthal Mohite; Junrong Liang; Dazhi Wang; Yahui Gao; Changping Chen

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116411

Effect of benthic and planktonic diatoms on the growth and biochemical composition of the commercial macroalga Pyropia haitanensis

Mar Pollut Bull. 2024 May 10:203:116411. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116411. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Vishal Patil¹, Lin Sun², Vitthal Mohite³, Junrong Liang⁴, Dazhi Wang⁵, Yahui Gao⁶, Changping Chen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment and Ecology/School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China.
³ Department of Zoology, Thakur College of Science and Commerce, Kandivali (E), Mumbai 400101, India.
⁴ Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment and Ecology/School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China. Electronic address: sunljr@xmu.edu.cn.
⁵ Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment and Ecology/School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China. Electronic address: dzwang@xmu.edu.cn.
⁶ Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment and Ecology/School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China. Electronic address: gaoyh@xmu.edu.cn.
⁷ Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Coastal and Wetland Ecosystem, College of Environment and Ecology/School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China. Electronic address: chencp@xmu.edu.cn.

PMID: 38733890
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116411

Abstract

This study delves into how two ecotypes of diatom affect the Pyropia haitanensis, a valuable and commercial red macroalga. We co-cultivated P. haitanensis with a planktonic diatom Skeletonema costatum and benthic diatom Navicula climacospheniae. The results showed that benthic diatom significantly hindered P. haitanensis growth, while planktonic ones had no major impact. The macroalga restrained planktonic diatom growth but did not affect benthic diatom. Photosynthetic pigments of macroalga, except chlorophyll, were higher, indicating stress when exposed to diatoms. Microscopic images revealed dense benthic diatom attachment, potentially stressing thalli due to limited light and EPS secretion. Total carbohydrate slightly decreased in both diatom treatments, while total protein significantly decreased with increasing benthic diatom densities. In summary, benthic diatom notably influenced P. haitanensis growth, pigments, and total protein levels. This study sheds light on the interaction between microalgal ecotypes and commercial macroalga P. haitanensis, which is crucial for its economic significance.

Keywords: Algal interaction; Diatoms; Growth inhibition; Photosynthetic pigments; Pyropia haitanensis; Total protein.