Antialgal compounds from plants have been identified as promising candidates for controlling harmful algal blooms (HABs). In our previous study, luteolin-7-O-glucuronide was used as a promising algistatic agent to control Phaeocystis globosa (P. globose) blooms; however, its antialgal mechanism on P. globosa have not yet been elaborated in detail. In this study, a liquid chromatography linked to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based untargeted metabolomic approach was used to investigate changes in intracellular and extracellular metabolites of P. globosa after exposure to luteolin-7-O-glucuronide. Significant differences in intracellular metabolites profiles were observed between treated and untreated groups; nevertheless, metabolic statuses for extracellular metabolites were similar among these two groups. For intracellular metabolites, 20 identified metabolites showed significant difference. The contents of luteolin, gallic acid, betaine and three fatty acids were increased, while the contents of α-Ketoglutarate and acetyl-CoA involved in tricarboxylic acid cycle, glutamate, and 11 organic acids were decreased. Changes in those metabolites may be induced by the antialgal compound in response to stress. The results revealed that luteolin played a vital role in the antialgal mechanism of luteolin-7-O-glucuronide on P. globosa, because luteolin increased the most in the treatment groups and had strong antialgal activity on P. globosa. α-Ketoglutarate and acetyl-CoA were the most inhibited metabolites, indicating that the antialgal compound inhibited the growth through disturbed the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle of algal cells. To summarize, our data provides insights into the antialgal mechanism of luteolin-7-O-glucuronide on P. globosa, which can be used to further control P. globosa blooms.
Keywords: Phaeocystis globosa; luteolin-7-O-glucuronide; metabolomic analysis.