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Article

Pigment and Fatty Acid Production under Different Light Qualities in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum

by
Bernardo Duarte
1,2,*,
Eduardo Feijão
1,
Johannes W. Goessling
3,
Isabel Caçador
1,2 and
Ana Rita Matos
2,4
1
MARE—Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
2
Departamento de Biologia Vegetal, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
3
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, 4715-330 Braga, Portugal
4
Plant Functional Genomics Group, BioISI—Biosystems and Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(6), 2550; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062550
Submission received: 24 February 2021 / Revised: 7 March 2021 / Accepted: 8 March 2021 / Published: 12 March 2021
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Resources Application Potential for Biotechnological Purposes)
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Abstract

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light emitting diodes (LED) illumination with different wavelengths can modulate diatom ca-rotenoid and fatty acid production.

Abstract

Diatoms are microscopic biorefineries producing value-added molecules, including unique pigments, triglycerides (TAGs) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), with potential implications in aquaculture feeding and the food or biofuel industries. These molecules are utilized in vivo for energy harvesting from sunlight to drive photosynthesis and as photosynthetic storage products, respectively. In the present paper, we evaluate the effect of narrow-band spectral illumination on carotenoid, LC-PUFAs and TAG contents in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Shorter wavelengths in the blue spectral range resulted in higher production of total fatty acids, namely saturated TAGs. Longer wavelengths in the red spectral range increased the cell’s content in Hexadecatrienoic acid (HTA) and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Red wavelengths induced higher production of photoprotective carotenoids, namely fucoxanthin. In combination, the results demonstrate how diatom value-added molecule production can be modulated by spectral light control during the growth. How diatoms could use such mechanisms to regulate efficient light absorption and cell buoyancy in the open ocean is discussed.

1. Introduction

Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) are among the most abundant phytoplankton species on Earth [1]. They play vital roles as primary producers in aquatic food webs, being responsible for half of the organic materials in the ocean and up to 20% of the Earth’s oxygen produced by photosynthesis [1]. Their high productivity has attracted scientific study related to their biotechnological potential, e.g., as biorefineries [2]. Diatoms have thereby mainly been exploited by the nutraceutical, fuel and aquaculture sectors, emerging as novel bioresources for the production of bioenergy, food and aquaculture feed, and as supporter of wastewater bioremediation [3]. Besides the most recent approaches to improve microalgae value-added yield production, using genetic engineering and molecular biology approaches [4], the manipulation of culture conditions (e.g., the light availability) has also been investigated [5]. The unique products of diatoms originate from their photosynthetic metabolism. Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a primary carotenoid with expanded light absorption in the cyan and green spectral range of light. It has drawn attention due to its antioxidative properties, as potential antiobesity, and potential anticancer compound as well as some suggested effects to mitigate Alzheimer’s disease [6,7,8]. Today, the main commercially available source of Fx is brown seaweeds (Stramenopiles), a phylogenetic group to which the diatoms also belong [9]. Diatoms store photosynthetic energy foremost in form of fatty acids, with high proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), namely ω3 fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, EPA) (Dunstan et al., 1993). Additionally, diatoms show high amounts of storage lipids (triacylglycerols, TAG) [10], with high nutritional value [11] and are useful for aquaculture feeding and potentially biofuel production [12].
Diatoms require light for their growth, as their metabolism bases on photosynthesis as primary energy source [13]. Some common cultivation systems involve light emitting diodes (LEDs) to support algal growth in cell cultures at the maximum light absorption of the main photosynthetic pigments, in the blue and red spectral range of light at ca. λ ≈ 450 nm and λ ≈ 650 nm, respectively [5]. The narrow-band wavelengths of LEDs can also be applied to test physiological implications of particular spectral parts of light and metabolite production under more environmental-like conditions, where light intensity as well as light spectral composition are affected by the wavelengths dependent light attenuation characteristics of water [14]. Individuals near the surface might thereby receive significantly higher amounts of light, compared to cells located at subsurface layers in the water column. In addition, light wavelengths of higher energy in the blue spectral range can penetrate deeper in the absence of dissolved organic matter and microscale particles [15]. In consequence, individuals of the same species can be projected to significant differences of available light during their lifetime. The different wavelengths to which diatoms are subjected in their natural environment and at different life stages are key factors shaping the metabolic activity of the cells [16]. The presence of blue and red light photoreceptors, i.e., cryptochromes and aureochromes, and phytochromes, respectively, allows diatoms to sense their position in the water column and to perform morphological and physiological alterations to adapt to changes in environmental conditions [17,18].
In the present work, we studied the effects of narrow-band illumination with blue and red light LEDs compared to red-green-blue (RGB) LEDs upon photo-pigment, lipid and fatty acid production in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Different pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) chlorophyll fluorescence techniques were used to determine the energy flux and dissipation along the photosynthetic transport chain under these illumination conditions. Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a well characterized model diatom, which can be cultivated in several culture media [2]. It is known for a variety of marketable products and today commercially viable for large-scale cultivation in some cases [2]. The data presented here suggest that spectral illumination conditions can modulate pigment concentrations and the composition of fatty acids, paving the way for optimized production of these high-value products in P. tricornutum. We speculate that some can regulate their position in the water column by a fine-tuned interplay of light absorption by photo-pigments and the composition and quantity of photosynthetic storage lipids to control the cell buoyancy.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Culture Conditions

Phaeodactylum tricornutum Bohlin (Bacillariophyceae; strain IO 108–01, Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera (IPMA)) axenic cell cultures were placed to grow in f/2 medium [19], under constant aeration in a phytoclimatic chamber (FytoScope FS 130—RGBIR, Photon Systems Instruments, Czech Republic), at 18 °C, programmed with a 14/10 h day/night photoperiod using a sinusoidal function provided by the manufacturer to mimic sunrise and sunset, and light intensity at noon, set to replicate a natural light environment, with a maximum light intensity of 80 μmol photons m−2 s−1 at solar noon. [20]. Cultures were daily inspected visually under the microscope. Culture trials under the different light regimes were conducted according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recommendations for algae assays [21], with minor adaptations, and the suggested initial cell density for microalgae cells with comparable dimensions to P. tricornutum (initial cell density = 2.7 × 105 cells mL−1). According to OECD guidelines, carbon dioxide concentrations were maintained through constant aeration of the cultures with ambient air. All manipulations were executed within a laminar flow hood chamber, ensuring standard aseptic conditions.
Light conditions were adjusted using the LED panel of the FytoScope FS 130—RGBIR. Full light treatment (denoted as RGB LED hereafter) was provided using a combination of RGB LEDs in the molar proportion 1:1:1 (Red λ = 627 nm/Green λ = 530 nm/Blue λ = 470 nm). Red light treatment (denoted as Red LED hereafter), was preformed using only the Red LEDs (λ = 627 nm). Blue light treatment (denoted as Blue LED hereafter), was provided using only the Blue LEDs (λ = 470 nm). All light intensities were adjusted in all light conditions to achieve a maximum photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of 80 μmol photons m−2 s−1 at solar noon, at the culture flasks level. After inoculation cultures were immediately exposed to the targeted light treatment, and the experiment lasted for 96 h.

2.2. Diatom Cell Density Measurements and Pellet Collection

Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells (1 mL volume sample) were counted using a Neubauer improved counting chamber, coupled with an Olympus BX50 (Tokyo, Japan) inverted microscope, at 400-x magnification. At the end of the exposure trials, cells were harvested for biochemical analysis by centrifugation at 4000× g for 15 min at 4 °C and the pellets were frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at −80 °C. Five biological replicates for all tested conditions were considered for total fatty acid analysis and pigment analysis and three replicates were considered for triacylglyceride (TAG) quantification.

2.3. Chlorophyll a Pulse Amplitude Modulated Fluorometry

At the end of the experimental period, and before cell harvesting, 1 mL of each replicate culture was used for bio-optical assessment, using chlorophyll-a pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometry (FluorPen FP100, Photo System Instruments, Brno, Czech Republic). Cell culture subsamples for bio-optical assessment were acclimated for 15 min in the dark and chlorophyll transient light curves were generated using the preprogrammed OJIP (fluorescence rise through four phases called O, J, I and P) protocol [22]. Rapid light curves (RLC) were generated using the preprogrammed LC1. The parameters determined and calculated by the software from this analysis are shown in Table 1 [23,24].

2.4. Pigment Profiles

Pigments were extracted from sample pellets with 100% cold acetone and maintained in a cold ultra-sound bath for 2 min, to ensure complete disaggregation of the cell material. Extraction proceeded in the dark at −20 °C for 24 h, to prevent pigment degradation [20,25,26]. Following centrifugation (4000× g for 15 min at 4 °C), supernatants were analyzed using a dual beam spectrophotometer. Absorbance spectrums from 350 nm to 750 nm (0.5 nm steps) were then introduced in the Gauss-peak spectra (GPS) fitting library, using SigmaPlot software. Pigment analysis was employed using the a gaussian peak deconvolution algorithm [27], enabling the detection of Chlorophyll a and c, Pheophytin a, β-carotene, Fx, Diadinoxanthin (DD), and Diatoxanthin (DT).

2.5. Absorption Spectra

To compare whether differences in light color responses were due to total light absorbed or due to light quality effects, a pigment weighted light absorption (QPhar) was calculated [28] with modification [29]. QPhar (λ) correspond to the amount and proportion of light absorbed by the cells at different wavelengths. The specific in vitro absorption coefficients of the P. tricornutum cultures (Pt) were reconstructed according to:
a P t λ = ∑ i n a i λ × C i
where ai(λ) is the concentration specific absorption coefficient obtained from the literature for each pigment at each incident wavelength [30] and Ci is the pigment concentration of the culture. For extraction of the correct absorption coefficient the predominant wavelengths of each of the LED light quality was used. The pigment weighted light absorption Qphar is obtained from:
Q p h a r = Q λ − Q λ × e − a P t λ
where Q(λ) is the incident PAR in μmol m−2 s−1 [28]. The pigments used for spectral absorption reconstruction were chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c, pheophythin a, β-carotene, Fx, DD and DT.

2.6. Total Fatty Acids and TAG Profiles

Cell pellets for total fatty acid analysis were submitted to direct transesterification with freshly prepared methanol sulfuric acid (97.5:2.5, v/v) at 70 °C for 60 min [31]. Subsequently, fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) were recovered using petroleum ether and the solvent evaporated under a constant N2 flow in a dry bath at 30 °C [20,32]. FAMEs were resuspended in hexane and 1 µL was injected in a gas chromatograph (Varian 430-GC gas chromatograph, Middelburg, The Netherlands), equipped with a hydrogen flame ionization detector set at 300 °C. The temperature of the injector was set to 270 °C, with a split ratio of 50. The fused-silica capillary column (50 m × 0.25 mm; WCOT Fused Silica, CP-Sil 88 for FAME; Varian, Middelburg, The Netherlands) was maintained at a constant N2 flow of 2.0 mL min−1 and the oven set at 190 °C. Fatty acids identification was achieved by comparison of retention times with standards (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA), and chromatograms analyzed by the peak surface method, using the Galaxy software (Varian, Inc., Palo Alto, CA, USA). The internal standard used was pentadecanoic acid (15:0) to identify losses during preparation.
Two indexes are commonly used to infer and predict the potential health benefits associated with the ingestion of a certain food: indexes of atherogenicity (IA) and thrombogenicity (IT) [33]:
I A = 4 × C 14 : 0 + C 16 : 0 ∑ M U F A + ∑ P U F A − n 6 + ∑ P U F A − n 3
I T = C 14 : 0 + C 16 : 0 0.5 × M U F A + 0.5 × P U F A − n 6 + 3 × P U F A − n 3 + P U F A − n 3 P U F A − n 6
where MUFA and PUFA correspond to relative concentrations of the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and PUFA. The IA is related to the plaque formation and to the decrease in the levels of esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, and phospholipids, thereby preventing the appearance of micro- and macro-coronary diseases [33]. The IT is related to the tendency to form clots in the blood vessels [33].
For neutral lipids’ separation pellets were boiled in water for 5 min to inactivate lipolytic enzymes. The extraction of lipophilic compounds was performed using a mixture of chloroform/methanol/water (1:1:1, v/v/v), as previously described [34]. Neutral lipid separation was achieved by thin layer chromatography (TLC) on silica plates (G-60, Merck, VWR) using as solvent a mixture of petroleum ether/ethyl ether/acetic acid (70/30/0.4, v/v/v) [35]. Lipids bands were visualized with 0.01% primuline in 80% acetone (v/v) under UV light, and the lipid band correspondent to TAG scraped off and transesterified as above-mentioned for total fatty acids, using the scrapped portion as sample [36].

2.7. Statistical Analysis

As normality and homogeneity of variances of our data were not given, pairwise comparisons between different sample groups were performed through nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis tests. These were computed with Statistica software (StataSoft, version 12.5.192.7). Statistical significance was considered at the p < 0.05. A multivariate approach was employed to test for variations in the complete photochemical, fatty acid and TAG profiles [32,37,38]. Canonical analysis of principle (CAP) coordinates, using Euclidean distances, were preformed to plot the dissimilarities in a canonical space regarding fatty acids and photochemical studied variables while preforming a cross-validation step and determining the allocation efficiency into the different treatment groups. This multivariate methodology is unaffected by heterogeneous data and frequently used to compare different sample assemblies using the inherent features of each assembly (metabolic traits) [25,32,37,39]. Multivariate statistical analyses were performed using Primer 6 software (version 6.1.13, Plymouth, UK) [40].

3. Results

3.1. Diatom Cell Growth

It was found that RGB and Blue LED treatments resulted in similar cell densities during the growth (Figure 1). However, Red LED treatment caused faster growth rates during the first 48 h (p < 0.05), after which the growth rates converged with other treatments.

3.2. Photochemistry at Photosystem II

Rapid light curve measurements (Figure 2a–c) showed that Red LED treatment resulted in reduced relative electron transport rate (rETR) (Figure 2a) when exposed to irradiances above 100 μmol photons m−2 s−1, compared to the cultures subjected to the RGB and Blue LED treatments. This resulted in a lower photosynthetic efficiency (Figure 2b) and maximum electron transport rate (Figure 2c) under Red LED treatment. When these parameters are normalized with the pigment weighted light absorption (Qphar), cultures grown under Red LED treatment presented significantly higher Qphar photosynthetic efficiency (Figure 2d). On the other hand, the Qphar maximum ETR of the cells grown under Red LED treatment showed higher values of this parameters as compared to cells exposed to RGB LED treatment (Figure 2e). The cultures grown under monochromatic blue LED illumination showed values of Qphar maximum ETR higher than all the remaining treatments.
Kautsky curve analysis (Figure 3a) revealed differences as a progressive decrease in the overall fluorescence from the cultures exposed to RGB LED treatment, Blue LED treatment and the lowest fluorescence values recorded at the cells grown under only red light. These results in differences at the phenomological energy fluxes (Figure 3b). Both monochromatic light treatments resulted in lower values of absorbed (ABS/CS), trapped (TR/CS) and transported (ET/CS) energy fluxes and also lower values of oxidized PSII reaction centers (RC/CS) when compared to the cultures grown under full spectra illumination (RGB LED). Regarding the dissipated energy flux, this was found to be lower in the cultures grown under monochromatic Red LED illumination. If we analyze the number of active oxygen evolving complexes (AOECs, Figure 3c) located at the donor side of the PSII, it is possible to observe that cultures grown under Red LED illumination resulted in an increase number, while the cells grown under monochromatic Blue LED showed a reduction, both when compared to the cultures grown under full spectra illumination (RGB LED).
Fluorescence profiles from the Kautsky curves in a canonical multivariate approach described the differences between treatments (Figure 4). The CAP analysis showed a clear separation of the samples exposed to the different light treatments (100% classification efficiency), having as basis its fluorescence profile, supporting the differences abovementioned in terms of Kautsky curves-derived parameters.

3.3. Pigment Profiles

The cultures grown under Red LED illumination showed higher contents in chlorophyll a and c, Fx, DD and DT (Figure 5a). In comparison with the RGB LED grown cultures, the cells cultured under Blue LED also showed higher chlorophylls a and c, DD and DT concentrations. These differences resulted in higher contents of both total chlorophyll (Figure 5b) and total carotenoids (Figure 5c) in the cultures exposed to the Red and Blue LED treatments.
Applying these pigment concentrations as a whole pigment profile in a multivariate canonical analysis (Figure 6), it is possible to again efficiently distinguish (93.3% classification efficiency) the sample groups, grown under different light treatments, highlighting the differences observed at the light-harvesting and photoprotective pigment level.

3.4. Total Fatty Acid and TAG Profiles

The culture of diatoms under Blue LED light resulted in cells with a higher total fatty acid content (Figure 7a). Regarding cells composition in terms of individual fatty acid relative abundance (Figure 7b), the diatom cells grown under Red LED illumination, when compared with the cells cultivated under full light spectrum, showed lower contents of 16:0 (palmitic acid), 16:1 (palmitoleic acid) and 18:4 (stearidonic acid, SDA) fatty acids and higher contents in 16:3 (hexadecatrienoic acid) and 20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA). Blue monochromatic LED illumination promoted the production of 16:1 and a decrease of EPA cell content, in comparison with the cultures grown under RGB LED illumination. This fatty acid remodeling resulted in significantly lower saturated fatty acid (SFA) and MUFA contents in the cells grown under monochromatic Red LED illumination, when compared to the cells grown under full spectrum illumination (Figure 7d). Comparing also with the RGB LED exposed cultures, these same cultures presented significantly higher PUFA and unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) contents. Regarding the cells cultivated under Blue LED illumination, their PUFA cellular content showed a significant decrease. These alterations combined resulted in differences in IA and IT (Figure 7c).
Regarding the atherogenicity capacity of the cultures in preventing the appearance of micro- and macro-coronary diseases, it was found that the cells grown under monochromatic Red LED illumination are favored in this regard showing a significantly lower IA value, when compared with both RGB and Blue LED exposed cells. On the other hand, blue light exposure seems to favor the thrombogenicity ability of the culture’s fatty acid profile, presenting a higher IT value.
As previously computed for the photochemical and pigment data, the fatty acid profiles of the samples were also analyzed in a multivariate canonical approach in order to evaluate if these fatty acid traits are efficient descriptors of the cells culture light conditions (Figure 8). Once again, a clear separation of the samples grown under different light qualities is observed, with the overall canonical analysis presenting a classification efficiency of the samples of 93.3%, having as basis the cells fatty acid profiles.
Regarding the TAG fatty acid profile, the different light qualities to which the cultures were subjected also induced some significant differences (Figure 9a). The TAG fatty acid profile of the cultures grown under monochromatic Red LED illumination showed significantly lower values of 14:0 (myristic acid), 16:0, and 16:1 fatty acid relative concentration and significantly higher concentrations of 16:3 (hexadecadienoic acid) and EPA fatty acids. Cultures grown under Blue LED illumination on the other hand showed a significant increase in the TAG concentration of 18:2 (linoleic acid), 18:3 (γ-linolenic acid, GLA) and 18:4. This had inevitable results in the saturation classes of the fatty acid profile of the TAG of the cells cultured at different light conditions (Figure 9b). Significant differences could only be observed in the cells cultured under Red LED illumination, with higher concentration of PUFA and lower contents of TAG SFA and MUFA in TAG, when compared to the cells cultured under RGB LED illumination. Regarding the TAG cellular content (Figure 9c), this was found to be significantly reduced by the cultivation of the diatom cells under Red LED illumination. In addition, considering the changes above reported regarding the total fatty acids content, the TAG relative content when compared to the total fatty acid in the cells cultivated under red and blue LED illumination decreased to 0.7% and 2.6% respectively versus 5.2% observed in the cells cultured under RGB LED illumination.
Nevertheless, the slight differences observed, the TAG fatty acid profile also proved to efficiently discriminate (100% classification accuracy) the cultures cultivated under different light qualities, indicating that this TAG fatty acid profile is specific of the light used for diatom cultivation and thus can be modified by the illumination wavelength range (Figure 10).

4. Discussion

Diatoms have been suggested as potential high value molecule suppliers for nutraceutical, fuel and aquaculture sectors, by providing bioenergy, food and feed and as supporter of wastewater bioremediation [3]. They are fast growing organisms and require low cultivation conditions while offering high process turnover and economically viable processing alternatives [2]. The current study reports that pigment and fatty acid profiles in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum can be modulated based on different spectral light regimes supplied through LEDs without limiting cell division rates.
At this level, the application of RGB LED illumination versus red and Blue LED illuminations did not lead to different cell densities at the end of the 96 h culture period. Such similarity in cell density at the end of the culture trials might be due to the nutritional limitation in the late phase of the culture, regarded to the high division rates common in the species P. tricornutum [41]. However, cultures exposed to red LED illumination presented a faster growth during the first 48 h, indicating a potential role of the light conditions for exponential phase cell growth enhancement. As all light treatments were adjusted to the same total photon flux rates, increased growth during the first days of culture may therefore indicate improved light harvesting under Red LED illumination. Previous studies showed an enhancement of microalgae cell growth cultured under blue light illumination [42] due to higher photosynthetic electron transport, while blue light may also induce higher nonphotochemical quenching [43]. Although most diatom pigments have higher absorption rates for shorter wavelength of light (blue light), at this level no higher growth rates were observed, indicating that given photon flux densities were sufficient to obtain maximum cell density growth. Excessive energy might then be dissipated along the photosynthetic transport chain, limiting accumulation of biomass [44]. When photosynthetic efficiencies are compared to RGB illumination, no apparent differences occur at the end of the experiment. However, when cell growth is compared based on pigment weighted light absorption, some differences become obvious. The cells grown under red LED illumination have higher Qphar photosynthetic efficiency concomitant with the higher growth rates as observed during the first 48 h. This is due to the differences in the light absorption of the different pigment profiles originating from the different light quality exposure. This might be due to the high chlorophyll a content, a pigment with a high absorption coefficient at 627 nm (equals red LED dominant wavelength) [30]. In terms of phenomenological energy fluxes the cells grown under red LED illumination showed a reduction in all energy fluxes in a proportional manner, indicating that there is a higher efficiency in the incident light-use. This was in fact previously reported [17], where P. tricornutum cells grow under red light showed lower nonphotochemical quenching (lower energy dissipation) and thus higher light-use efficiencies per incident photon. This is also in accordance with the higher dissipated energy flux rates (concomitant with higher nonphotochemical quenching, as reported in [17]) observed in the cells grown under Blue LED illumination. A possible explanation for the observed similar cell densities at the end of the trials under different LED regimes was also reported in the centric diatom Coscinodiscus granii, pointing towards illumination conditions supporting maximum diatom cell growth [45]. In sum, in photochemical terms, cells are not substantially affected by the different illumination conditions at the end of the experiment, under the given nutrient conditions and PPFD availabilities. However, it is important to point out that, according to our data, a culture medium may replenish with nutrients at the end of 48 h, as indicated by higher exponential growth under red illumination in the beginning of the trial.
In terms of fatty acid and TAG accumulation, cell cultures under Blue LED light exhibited high total fatty acid and TAG concentrations. This high accumulation of lipids was already reported before, in the diatom Skeletonema marinoi [46], pointing out an effective energy and carbon storage strategy [47]. The increase in storage lipids such as TAG, under high frequency blue light has also been attributed to their role in preventing photo-oxidative damages [48]. In fact, and as abovementioned, the cultures subjected to Blue LED illumination showed higher dissipated energy fluxes, also indicative of the need to dissipate excessive energy, another strategy to prevent photo-inhibition.
In terms of bioenergy production, the results also have a relevant role. High amounts of SFAs provide a superior oxidative stability, while PUFAs provide better cold-flow properties at the cost of oxidative stability [49]. Examining the saturation degree of the different cultures, two important characteristics were evident. Both in terms of whole fatty acid and TAG contents, the cells grown under red LED illumination presented a high content in PUFA, i.e., higher cold-flow properties. These cultures also showed another important feature in terms of bioenergy production. The fatty acid saturation degree was linearly correlated to the cetane number (CN), a fuel quality parameter which is related to ignition delay and combustion quality of the fuels [49]. At this level also the cells grown under red light illumination showed a substantially higher UFAs percentage, reinforcing the promising characteristics of the fatty acids produced under these experimental conditions. Cultures subjected to blue light illumination presented a higher fatty acid content and in terms of quality for bioenergy applications presented higher saturation degree and thus better characteristics for biodiesel production.
Some nutritional characteristics can also be highlighted for the fatty acid profiles produced under the different light qualities. As abovementioned two indices can be used to evaluate the potential role of certain fatty acid profiles for human health: the IA value is related to the plaque formation and to the decrease in the levels of esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, and phospholipids, thereby preventing the appearance of micro- and macro-coronary diseases [33]; the IT value is related to the tendency to form clots in the blood vessels [33]. Since saturated FAs are considered to be proatherogenic and UFAs antiatherogenic, a low IA ratio is recommended [33]. Regarding IT, this index indicates the propensity to form masses in the blood vessels and is defined as the relationship between the prothrombogenic (saturated fatty acids) and the antithrombogenic MUFA, n-3 and n-6 PUFA). Therefore, a low IT value is also desirable [33]. Tuna, a fish considered to have a high nutritional value in terms of its fatty acid profile, has an IA and IT of approximately 0.7 and 0.3, respectively [33], and is therefore used as a reference. At this level, the cultures grown under red wavelength illumination present a better nutritional quality, with very low IA and IT values. Moreover, red illumination promoted the accumulation of PUFAs, namely EPA. This fatty acid intake has significant improvements in terms of human health, improving the vascular and neural health [50,51]. Moreover, considering that a large fraction of the developed countries population presents a very low intake of EPA and that the largest source of this PUFA is fish intake, another aspect that is highly reduced in western populations, this EPA content acquires a reinforced role as a possible alternative source of these key fatty acids [50,51]. Biosynthesis of EPA is thought to occur in the endoplasmic reticulum via two complementary pathways [52]. In the ω-3 pathway α-Linolenic acid (18:3, ALA) is desaturated to 18:4 which suffers subsequent elongation to 20:4, while in the ω-6 pathway 18:2 is desaturated to GLA and subsequently elongated to eicosatrienoic acid (20:3, ETA) and desaturated to 20:4. A Δ5-desaturase is reported to act in both pathways, converting 20:3 to 20:4 in the ω-6 pathway, and 20:4 to EPA in the ω-3 pathway [52,53]. Overall, cultures grown under red light revealed increased abundance of 16:3 and EPA, a trend which was also reflected in the TAG composition. It is possible that red light induced recycling of plastidal membrane fatty acids through phospholipase A activity given the increased abundance of 16:3 in TAG [54]. The overall increase in C16 fatty acids, namely 16:2 and 16:3, could suggest variations in lipid classes such as monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG), responsible for fucoxanthin chlorophyll proteins (FCP) stabilization and electron transport [55]. The decreased abundance of 18:4 in cultures grown under red illumination could also suggest a prominence of Δ6-elongase activity or gene expression in the ω-3 pathway converting 18:4 to 20:4, rather than GLA to ETA in the ω-6 pathway, and increased Δ5-desaturase activity, resulting in the observed EPA increase. Blue light induced an increase of 16:1 and decrease in EPA content overall; however, the major changes in TAG composition were observed in C18 fatty acids. In sum, cultures grown under red LED illumination presented a high concentration of chloroplastidal fatty acids and long chain PUFAs, while blue light-growth induced the accumulation of EPA precursors in TAG (Figure 11). These results could imply an interaction between light quality, photoreceptors and regulation of genes involved in the lipid and fatty acid metabolism. It is interesting to notice that stearidonic acid, a precursor of EPA with known significant health promoting effects [56], also had its concentration increased in the cultures grown under blue light illumination. In sum, cultures grown under red LED illumination presented a high concentration of long-chain fatty acids, while blue light-growth induced the accumulation of its precursors (Figure 11).
Another group of interesting value-added products produced by marine diatoms are the carotenoids with relevant applications for biotechnology and human health as nutraceuticals [57,58]. From the wide array of pigments produced by diatoms some like β -carotene and Fx have been widely investigated and targeted in studies aiming to enhance its production in microalgae cultures [2,57,58]. Generally speaking, carotenoid pigment production is related to local environmental conditions (such as light conditions and nutrient availability). Fucoxanthin, chlorophyll a and c are the main light-harvesting pigments in diatoms, whereas β-carotene, DD and DT are mainly involved in photoprotection mechanisms [45]. Regarding the potential nutritional aspects of carotenoids produced these also highlight the potential application of red and blue illumination for improving P. tricornutum nutraceutical value. β-carotene is typically the most abundant carotenoid in plants, presenting a recognized antioxidant value, associated with a reduced risk of several diseases including cardiovascular disease [59]. This comes largely from the ability of this pigment to act as a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger [59]. The increase in the pool of β-carotene, precursor of all the other carotenoids, also allows the increased production of other carotenoids such as Fx. Fucoxanthin is a pigment mainly found in brown seaweed and Bacillariophyta (diatoms) [60], and thus any reinforcement in its production is of value-added for industry purposes. This carotenoid has known antioxidant, antiobesity, antidiabetic and anticancer activities [60]. At this level Red LED illumination had a higher effect in the per cell content of this carotenoid, but yet both Blue and Red LED treatments are able to improve diatom Fx production. However, based on the data we conclude that both LED treatments are equally efficient in inducing carotenoid production.
Some similarities observed from the pigment profiles under red and blue light exposed cultures can result from diatom adaptation to the marine environment at different water column depths and are consistent with other studies on phytoplankton [61,62] (Figure 11). In the marine environment, under oligotrophic conditions, light in the blue-green and red spectrum are dominant at higher and lower depths, respectively [63]. Longer wavelengths of the visible light spectrum commonly attenuate faster in water. In consequence, proportions of the red spectral range of light might be higher at subsurface layers where light intensities are higher. Based on the results presented in this study, we propose that diatoms at subsurface layers perceive higher proportions of blue light, inducing less unsaturated TAG remobilization to increase their density and buoyancy. In contrast, diatoms at surface layers might perceive high light flux rates, potentially causing oxidative stress and photodamage. In consequence, carotenoid based photoprotective mechanisms are induced, and the photosynthetic activity is reduced, while cellular energy is dissipated through the consumption of lipid reserves (TAG) leading to reduced cell density and buoyancy reduction. We therefore propose that the proportion of red to blue light are sensed by the diatom cell, either via photoreceptors and/or by physiological feedback loops of the light absorbing and photosynthetic apparatuses (Figure 11) [64]. However, given the complex and diverse light environments in aquatic habitats [15], this proposed mechanisms is speculative and requires further investigation and validation in other planktonic diatom species. Deeper investigation into the natural conditions of light availability in diatom inhabited environments, both in intensity and spectral light composition, may result in better understanding of the apparent complex interplay of cellular light absorption, light perception, photosynthetic activity and other cellular adaptation mechanisms. We propose that such mechanisms may be hijacked for an environmentally friendly production of particular high value products by diatoms, to foster a more sustainable economy in future.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, J.W.G. and B.D.; investigation, B.D and E.F.; resources, A.R.M.; writing—original draft preparation, B.D.; writing—review and editing, J.W.G., A.R.M., I.C. and E.F.; supervision, A.R.M. and I.C. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

The authors would like to thank Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for funding the research via project grants PTDC/CTA-AMB/30056/2017 (OPTOX), UIDB/04292/2020, UIDB/04046/2020. B. Duarte was supported by an investigation contract (CEECIND/00511/2017).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to being part of an ongoing project.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Figure 1. Growth curve of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments during the 96 h exposure (average ± standard error).
Figure 1. Growth curve of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments during the 96 h exposure (average ± standard error).
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Figure 2. Rapid light curves (a), photosynthetic efficiency (b) and maximum electron transport rate ((c), ETRmax) based on incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and in the pigment weighted light absorption ((d), QPhar photosynthetic efficiency; (e), maximum electron transport rate QPharETRmax) in P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
Figure 2. Rapid light curves (a), photosynthetic efficiency (b) and maximum electron transport rate ((c), ETRmax) based on incident photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and in the pigment weighted light absorption ((d), QPhar photosynthetic efficiency; (e), maximum electron transport rate QPharETRmax) in P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
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Figure 3. Kautsky transient light curves (a), phenomological energy fluxes ((b), absorbed (ABS/CS), trapped (TR/CS), transported (ET/CS) and dissipated (DI/CS) energy fluxes and oxidized reaction centers (RC/CS) and active oxygen evolving complexes (c) in the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
Figure 3. Kautsky transient light curves (a), phenomological energy fluxes ((b), absorbed (ABS/CS), trapped (TR/CS), transported (ET/CS) and dissipated (DI/CS) energy fluxes and oxidized reaction centers (RC/CS) and active oxygen evolving complexes (c) in the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
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Figure 4. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the full Kaustky fluorescence profile at the end of the 96 h exposure period (100% classification efficiency).
Figure 4. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the full Kaustky fluorescence profile at the end of the 96 h exposure period (100% classification efficiency).
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Figure 5. Pigments profiles (a), total chlorophyll (b) and total carotenoids (c) contents of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
Figure 5. Pigments profiles (a), total chlorophyll (b) and total carotenoids (c) contents of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
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Figure 6. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the full pigment profile at the end of the 96 h exposure period (93.3% classification efficiency).
Figure 6. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the full pigment profile at the end of the 96 h exposure period (93.3% classification efficiency).
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Figure 7. Total fatty acid content (a) and profile (b), indexes of atherogenicity (IA) and thrombogenicity (IT) (c) and fatty acid unsaturation classes (d) of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three considered light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
Figure 7. Total fatty acid content (a) and profile (b), indexes of atherogenicity (IA) and thrombogenicity (IT) (c) and fatty acid unsaturation classes (d) of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three considered light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
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Figure 8. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the total fatty acid profile (relative concentrations) at the end of the 96 h exposure period (93.3% classification efficiency).
Figure 8. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the total fatty acid profile (relative concentrations) at the end of the 96 h exposure period (93.3% classification efficiency).
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Figure 9. TAG fatty acid profile (a) saturation classes (b) and cellular content (c) of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 3) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
Figure 9. TAG fatty acid profile (a) saturation classes (b) and cellular content (c) of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 3) subjected to the three light treatments at the end of the 96 h exposure period (average ± standard error, letters denote significant differences between light treatments at p < 0.05).
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Figure 10. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the TAG fatty acid profile (relative concentrations) at the end of the 96 h exposure period (100% classification efficiency).
Figure 10. Canonical Analysis of Principal (CAP) components of the P. tricornutum cultures (N = 5) subjected to the three light treatments, having as basis the TAG fatty acid profile (relative concentrations) at the end of the 96 h exposure period (100% classification efficiency).
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Figure 11. Schematic model of the metabolic changes induced by different wavelengths reaching the different depth layers of the ocean water column (blue and red arrows represent the penetration capacity of the red and blue wavelengths, respectively).
Figure 11. Schematic model of the metabolic changes induced by different wavelengths reaching the different depth layers of the ocean water column (blue and red arrows represent the penetration capacity of the red and blue wavelengths, respectively).
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Table
Table 1. Summary of fluorometric analysis parameters and their description.
Table 1. Summary of fluorometric analysis parameters and their description.
VariableDescription
Φ PSIIPhotosystem II (PSII) maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm, where Fv is the variable fluorescence and Fm is the maximum fluorescence).
αPhotosynthetic efficiency, corresponding to the initial slope of the relative electron transport rate (rETR) versus photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) curve.
Qphar αPhotosynthetic efficiency, corresponding to the initial slope of the relative electron transport rate (rETR) versus pigment weighted light absorption.
rETRRelative electron transport rate, obtained from applying the equation: Φ PSII × PPFD × 0.5 (factor for correcting for the energy generated only at the PSII side, assuming each photosystem absorbs 50% of the incoming energy).
ETRmaxMaximum ETR having as basis the PPFD.
Qphar ETRmaxMaximum ETR calculated using the pigment weighted light absorption.
AOECSActive oxygen evolving complexes at the PSII donor side.
ABS/CSAbsorbed energy flux per cross-section.
TR/CSTrapped energy flux per cross-section.
ET/CSElectron transport energy flux per cross-section.
DI/CSDissipated energy flux per cross-section.
RC/CSNumber of available reaction centers per cross-section.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Duarte, B.; Feijão, E.; Goessling, J.W.; Caçador, I.; Matos, A.R. Pigment and Fatty Acid Production under Different Light Qualities in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 2550. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062550

AMA Style

Duarte B, Feijão E, Goessling JW, Caçador I, Matos AR. Pigment and Fatty Acid Production under Different Light Qualities in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(6):2550. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062550

Chicago/Turabian Style

Duarte, Bernardo, Eduardo Feijão, Johannes W. Goessling, Isabel Caçador, and Ana Rita Matos. 2021. "Pigment and Fatty Acid Production under Different Light Qualities in the Diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum" Applied Sciences 11, no. 6: 2550. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11062550

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