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Inactivation Mechanism of Algal Chlorophyll by Allelochemical Quercetin

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Abstract

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are a global concern. Application of allelochemicals is a promising solution for cyanobacteria control, due to its high efficiency, low cost and ecological safety. Flavonoids (natural polyphenols produced by aquatic plants) are reported capable of effectively inhibiting the growth of algae; however, the molecular mechanism of algae chlorophyll inactivation is still unclear. In this study, quercetin was used as a typical flavonoid, to investigate the inactivation effect of allelochemical on Microcystis aeruginosa chlorophyll a. The absorption and fluorescence spectra showed that chlorophyll reacted with quercetin to form pheophytin, and the formation rate of pheophytin increased with increasing quercetin concentration (1 × 10–5–1 × 10–2 M). FTIR spectra and DFT calculation showed that Mg2+ complexed with the 3-OH and 4-C = O groups in the quercetin ring C so that chlorophyll was inactivated due to the loss of Mg2+ ions. Overall, this study revealed that quercetin inactivated chlorophyll a of cyanobacteria by capturing Mg2+ ions, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms of algal bloom control by allelochemicals.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51979137, 51779079, and 41931292). Results of this study do not reflect the view of the funding agencies.

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Author notes

  1. Shiyin Li and Fengxiao Zhu have contributed equally to this article.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Jing Li, Xin Hu, Juan Wang, Li Yin, Shiyin Li & Fengxiao Zhu

  2. School of Geography and Tourism, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu, 241002, China

    Youru Yao

  3. Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, MOE, School of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China

    Lixiao Ni

  4. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Yong Zhang

  5. Jiangsu Center for Collaborative Innovation in Geographical Information Resource Development and Application, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Shiyin Li

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  1. Jing Li
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  3. Xin Hu
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  4. Juan Wang
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Correspondence to Shiyin Li or Fengxiao Zhu.

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Li, J., Yao, Y., Hu, X. et al. Inactivation Mechanism of Algal Chlorophyll by Allelochemical Quercetin. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 109, 450–458 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-022-03524-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-022-03524-4

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