Phytosterols from Haematococcus pluvialis: potential antioxidant and antiproliferative properties

SCODELARO BILBAO, P; DAMIANI, C; DE LUCCHI, F; SALVADOR, G; LEONARDI, P

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LI Reunion Anual de SAIB; 2015

SAIB

Light stress triggers the production of phytosterols in Haematococcus pluvialisScodelaro Bilbao, P1,2; Damiani, C1; Delucchi, F3; Salvador, G2; Leonardi P1.1CERZOS, 2INIBIBB, 3PLAPIQUI, UNS-CONICET. Bahía Blanca, Argentina.Email: pscodela@criba.edu.arHaematococcus pluvialis is an oleaginous microalga proposed as a source of triacylglycerol (TAG) for biodiesel production. The aim of this work was to describe the effect of light-induced stress on lipid accumulation a in H. pluvialis. For this end, native strain from Bahía Blanca (Arg.) was grown in an appropriate culture medium and maintained under control conditions or light-induced stress (300 µmol m-2 s-1) for 3, 6 and 12 days. Then, the lipid profile was analyzed in order to determine TAG and Phystorel (PHS) content. After 3 days of light-induced stress significantly increased the levels of both TAG and PHS (210% and 1251%, over control respectively). Gas chromatography analysis also revealed changes in the fatty acid profile of TAG and PHS composition . The main differences were detected in caproic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic and α linolenic fatty acids; which were increased with respect to controls. β-sitosterol, clerosterol, brassicasterol and Δ7-campesterol content were increased in the PHS fraction from light-stressed algae.. In addition, no significant levels of lipid peroxidation were detected after 3 days of light-induced stress. Finally, PHS extracts obtained after light-induced stress showed increased antioxidant capacity when compared with control conditions. Together, these results suggest that light stress induces the accumulation of PHS with antioxidant properties H. pluvialis with potential terapeutic applications.