Academic literature on the topic 'Antialgal metabolites'

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.

Several biologically active alkaloids (1-4, 6), including a new quinazoline-6-carboxylic acid (1), were isolated from the medicinal plant Zanthoxylum rhetsa, an evergreen tree, native to subtropical areas. Whereas the pharmacological properties of the plant extract and single constituents have been widely tested, we now show that all of the metabolites have antialgal activities, all but 6 are antibacterial, and 6 and the reduction product 5 (derived from 4) are also antifungal.

The alkyl-4-quinolones (AQs) are a class of metabolites produced primarily by members of the Pseudomonas and Burkholderia genera, consisting of a 4-quinolone core substituted by a range of pendant groups, most commonly at the C-2 position. The history of this class of compounds dates back to the 1940s, when a range of alkylquinolones with notable antibiotic properties were first isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. More recently, it was discovered that an alkylquinolone derivative, the Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal (PQS) plays a key role in bacterial communication and quorum sensing in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Many of the best-studied examples contain simple hydrocarbon side-chains, but more recent studies have revealed a wide range of structurally diverse examples from multiple bacterial genera, including those with aromatic, isoprenoid, or sulfur-containing side-chains. In addition to their well-known antimicrobial properties, alkylquinolones have been reported with antimalarial, antifungal, antialgal, and antioxidant properties. Here we review the structural diversity and biological activity of these intriguing metabolites.

The marine surface-associated bacterium Pseudoaltermonas tunicata, produces a range of compounds that inhibit fouling organisms, including invertebrate larvae, bacteria, algal spores and fungi. In addition to these antifouling compounds P. tunicata cells produce both a yellow and a purple pigment. The aim of this study was to further characterise the antifouling activities, their regulation and relationship with pigmentation, and the ecological significance of P. tunicata and related organisms. It was discovered that the anti-algal compound was extracellular, heat sensitive, polar and between 3 and 10 kDa in size. The anti-fungal compound was found to be the yellow pigment and active against a wide range of fungal and yeast isolates. Chemical analysis suggests that this compound consists of a carbon ring bound to a fatty-acid side chain. Genetic analysis supports the chemical data for the active compound as a mutant in a gene encoding for a long-chain fatty-acid CoA ligase was deficient for anti-fungal activity. To address the regulation of antifouling compounds and their relationship to pigmentation transposon mutagenesis of P. tunicata was performed. Mutants lacking the yellow pigment displayed a reduced ability to inhibit fouling organisms. Further analysis of these mutants identified genes involved with the synthesis and regulation of synthesis of pigment and antifouling compounds. One of these mutants was disrupted in a gene (wmpR) with similarity to the transcriptional regulators ToxR from Vibrio cholerae and CadC from Escherichia coli. Analysis of global protein expression using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis showed that WmpR is essential for the expression of at least fifteen proteins important for the synthesis of fouling inhibitors. The ecological significance of antifouling bacteria was addressed by assessing the antifouling capabilities of a collection of bacteria isolated from different marine surfaces. Overall, isolates from living surfaces displayed more antifouling traits then strains isolated from non-living surfaces. Five dark-pigmented strains originating from the alga Ulva lactuca were further studied. Phylogenetic and phenotypic analysis revealed that they were all members of the genus Pseudoalteromonas and were closely related to P. tunicata. Two strains represented a novel species within the genus and were taxonomically defined as P. ulvae sp. nov.