COLD ACCLIMATION OF TWO STRAINS OF THE CYANOBACTERIUM, SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

• Published in: Journal of phycology 2000-12, Vol.36 (s3), p.12-12
• Main Authors: Chien, L.-F., Vonshak, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Spirulina platensis
• ISSN: 0022-3646; 1529-8817
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.00001-36.x

The changes in the antioxidant enzymes and photosynthetic activities during cold acclimation in two strains of the cyanobacterium, Spirulina platensis, marked as Kenya and M2, were investigated. Cells were cultured at 33° C then transferred to either 20° C or 15° C. Growth rate of both strains ceased when the temperature shifted from 33 to 20° C and resumed to a slower rate after the first 24 h. Similarly when the temperature was shifted from 33 to 15° C, a complete cessation of growth took place but this time the growth resumed only after 5 to 6 days. The activities of ascorbate perooxidaseperoxides were immediately decreased to about 40–60% in Kenya and 20–40% in M2 when the temperature was shifted to 20 or 15° C and remained about the same level during further cold cultivation. The activity of glutathione reductase was not modified immediately after the transfer to 20 or 15° C; however, it trended to increase gradually in M2 during cultivation at 15° C. The changes in the maximal efficiency of PSII photochemistry (Fv/Fm) were followed in order to study the effect of low temperature acclimation on the photosynthetic apparatus of the two strains.