Effects of culture conditions on production of antibiotically active metabolites by the marine alga Spyridia filamentosa (Ceramiaceae, Rhodophyta). I. Light

• Published in: Journal of applied phycology 1999, Vol.11 (2), p.217-224
• Main Authors: ROBLES CENTENO, P. O, BALLANTINE, D. L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibiotics; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health. Pharmaceutical industry; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Marine; Production of active biomolecules; Rhodophyta; Spyridia filamentosa
• ISSN: 0921-8971; 1573-5176
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1008113108834

The effect of irradiance over the range 5 to 70 mu mol photon m super(-2) s super(-1) on production of antibiotically active metabolites was assessed for male and female gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of the red alga Spyridia filamentosa (Wulfen) Harvey in Hooker in culture. Whole-algal extracts and ten recognizable TLC-separable zones were assayed against five microorganisms pathogenic to humans. For all experimental irradiance conditions, the ten TLC zones displayed activity against four of the microorganisms. The maximum number of TLC zones with activity under any of the culture conditions was six each for male and female Spyridia at 70 mu mol photon m super(-2) s super(-1). Small changes in irradiance resulted both in different activities against specific microorganisms and degree of activity. The fact that every TLC zone showed differing activities at different light conditions or when extracted from different life history stages strongly suggests the presence of multiple antibiotic principals in individual TLC zones.