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Impact of environmental pollution on cyanobacterial proline content

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Abstract

This study describes the toxic effects of different prominent aquatic pollutants—heavy metals (Cd & Pb), pesticides (alphamethrin and deltamethrin) and salt (NaCl)—on the intracellular proline content in the cyanobacterium, Westiellopsis prolifica–Janet strain–NCCU331. Despite a reduction in growth (measured as chlorophyll a content), the intracellular proline content increased in the presence of heavy metals, pesticides and high salt concentration. The intracellular cyanobacterial proline accumulation was more pronounced under salt stress than in the presence of pesticides and heavy metals. We have also compared whether or not anionic components influence heavy metal toxicity. It was found that the chlorides of Cd and Pb were more toxic than the NO3 and the order of toxicity was CdCl2 > PbCl2 > Cd (NO3)2 > Pb (NO3)2. Among pyrethroids, deltamethrin was more toxic than alphamethrin.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the University of Grant Commission, India for financial support, and Dr. L. Rajendrakumar Singh for his help and facilities from the Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cyanobacterial Biotechnology and Environmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi, 110025, India

    T. Fatma, M. A. Khan & M. Choudhary

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  1. T. Fatma
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  2. M. A. Khan
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  3. M. Choudhary
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Correspondence to T. Fatma.

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Fatma, T., Khan, M.A. & Choudhary, M. Impact of environmental pollution on cyanobacterial proline content. J Appl Phycol 19, 625–629 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-007-9195-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-007-9195-2

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