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Synechocystis salina: potential bioactivity and combined extraction of added-value metabolites

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Abstract

Few studies have focused on the biotechnological potential of the marine cyanobacterium Synechocystis salina, in particular its bioactive metabolites. Hence, an opportunity exists to explore various solvent combinations in attempts to improve extraction of cellular contents of metabolites with antioxidant features as a part of a structured attempt to determine whether S. salina LEGE 06,155 holds a promise for industrial exploitation. Extracts were obtained by single extractions with four GRAS solvents: hexane (H), acetone (A), ethanol (E), and buffer phosphate (PBS) (series A) and successive extractions: H-E-PBS (series B), H-A-PBS (series C), and H-A-E-PBS (series D). The yields, antioxidant capacity, and cytotoxicity of the extracts, as well their content in pigments, lipids, and phenolic compounds were assessed. The combination of solvents of series B produced the highest yield of extraction, of 33.56%. Aqueous extracts for single (series A) and successive extractions (series B and C) presented the highest antioxidant capacity, for ABTS•+ and NO•−, respectively, and had a high content of phycobiliproteins (PBPs). The acetonic (series A) and ethanolic (series B) extracts also showed high antioxidant capacity, in particular for DPPH• and O2•−, respectively. Overall, organic extracts did not show signs of cytotoxicity. Series B extraction enhanced general pigment content, yet single extraction with ethanol (series A) produced the highest content in carotenoids, in particular echinenone and β-carotene, and PBS (series A) improved PBPs content. The lipid content was enhanced in series A (ethanol), while the total phenolic content was improved in series B. Synechocystis has accordingly demonstrated potential for eventual exploitation as biotechnological resource, in terms value-added compounds with antioxidant features.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Professor Isabel Sousa Pinto, lab head of the Laboratory of Coastal University (CIIMAR), for making available the premises and some equipment to perform the experimental work.

Funding

This work was financially partially supported by the following: Project DINOSSAUR—PTDC/BBB-EBB/1374/2014-POCI-01–0145-FEDER-016640, funded by FEDER funds through COMPETE2020—Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), and by national funds through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. This research was also co-supported by national funds through FCT, within the scope of UIDB/04423/2020 and UIDP/04423/2020 granted to Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR) and UIDB/00511/2020 granted to Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy (LEPABE)—funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). A PhD fellowship (PD/BD/137887/2018) for author J.A. was granted by FCT, under the auspices of Programa Operacional Capital Humano (POCH), supported by the European Social Fund (ESF) and Portuguese funds (MECTES).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIIMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Novo Edifício Do Terminal de Cruzeiros Do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208, Matosinhos, Portugal

    Joana Assunção, Helena M. Amaro, Graciliana Lopes & A. Catarina Guedes

  2. FCUP – Faculty of Science, University of Porto, Rua Do Campo Alegre, s/n, 4169-007, Porto, Portugal

    Joana Assunção & Graciliana Lopes

  3. LEPABE – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

    Tânia Tavares & F. Xavier Malcata

  4. FEUP – Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal

    F. Xavier Malcata

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  1. Joana Assunção
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  2. Helena M. Amaro
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  3. Graciliana Lopes
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  4. Tânia Tavares
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  5. F. Xavier Malcata
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  6. A. Catarina Guedes
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Contributions

JA, HMA, and ACG conceived and designed research. JA conducted experiments. JA, GL, and TT performed analytical measurements. JA wrote the manuscript draft. FXM and ACG were responsible for supervision (including revision of manuscript) and funding acquirement. All authors read and approved the manuscript.

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Correspondence to A. Catarina Guedes.

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Assunção, J., Amaro, H.M., Lopes, G. et al. Synechocystis salina: potential bioactivity and combined extraction of added-value metabolites. J Appl Phycol 33, 3731–3746 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-021-02558-1

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