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Title: Development of photosynthetic activity in Porphyridium purpureum (Rhodophyta) following nitrogen starvation

Journal Article · · Journal of Phycology; (USA)
;  [1]
  1. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC (USA)

The effects of nitrogen limitation on laboratory cultures of Porphyridium purpureum Bory, Drew and Ross were studied under continuous white light illumination (35 {mu}E {times} m{sup {minus}2} {times} s{sup {minus}1}). Growth ceased, respiration exceeded photosynthesis, chlorophyll content was reduced by 80%, and phycoerythrin content was reduced by 99% over a period of 14 days under nitrogen limitation. Recovery upon addition of nitrogen resulted in increased phycobiliprotein content, appearance of phycobilisomes attached to the thylakoids, increased oxygen evolution, and increased fluorescence emission from photosystem 1 (720 nm) and photosystem 2 (685 nm) upon excitation by green light. Growth resumes after 72 h and was concomitant with an increase of chlorophyll, phycoerythrin and phycobilisomes per thylakoid area. The results suggest that photosystem 1 was less affected by nitrogen starvation than photosystem 2 and that the recovery was largely dependent on the restoration of phycobilisomes and other photosystem components.

DOE Contract Number:
FG05-87ER13652
OSTI ID:
6613590
Journal Information:
Journal of Phycology; (USA), Vol. 26:1; ISSN 0022-3646
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English