Astaxanthin Pattern in Mangroves: A Case of Species- Specificity
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2017, Vol 1, Issue 1
Abstract
Astaxanthin, a naturally occurring carotenoid pigment possessing strong antioxidant property has been detected to play a vital role in the protection against lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage of LDL cholesterol, cell membrane, cells and tissues. It is available from several biological sources particularly the microalgal species Haematococcus pluvialis, but the salt tolerant mangrove vegetation present in the deltaic lobe of Indian Sundarbans has been documented as one of the most potential sources of astaxanthin. This paper documents the accumulation of astaxanthin in six species of mangroves (Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia alba, Avicennia marina, Sonneratia apetala, Aegiceros corniculatum and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza) at ten different stations having different environmental conditions in the Hooghly-Matla estuarine complex of Indian Sundarbans. Although these six species share the same brackish water media, but significant variation in the leaf astaxanthin level confirms the concept of species-specificity and effects of various physico-chemical variables on mangrove astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a member of carotenoid family. These molecules are associated with many of the colours that are seen in leaves, flowers and fruits. This pigment is ubiquitous in nature, especially in the marine environment and is probably best known for eliciting the pinkish-red hue in the flesh of salmonoids, shrimp, lobsters and crayfish. In marine ecosystem, astaxanthin is biosynthesized in the food chain by microalgae or phytoplankton, as the primary production level. Microalgae are consumed by zooplankton, insects or crustaceans that accumulate this secondary carotenoid and which, in turn, are ingested by larger animals that will then take on a pinkish-red colour. In nature, a typical xanthophylls-producing unicellular microalgae is Haematococcus pluvialis, well known for its massive accumulation of ketocarotenoids, mainly, astaxanthin upto 4% of its dry mass and its acyl esters, in response to various stress conditions, e.g. nutrient deprivation or high irradiation. Also, the yeast Phaffia rhodozyma has been widely used for astaxanthin production in fed-batch fermentation processes using low cost materials as substrates An et al. [1], Chociai et al. [2], Vazquez et al.[3]. Because of antioxidative properties and the increasing amounts of astaxanthin needed as a supplement in the aquaculture of salmonoids and other seafood, there is growing interest in the biotechnological production of astaxanthin. The present paper is the outcome of a research endeavour carried out during postmonsoon season of 2015 to screen the mangrove vegetation for astaxanthin in the Indian Sundarbans region. This deltaic lobe is situated at the apex of the Bay of Bengal and has been designated as World Heritage Site for its marvelous genetic diversity with respect to mangroves and its associated flora and fauna [4-6]. Mangroves are special types of vegetation, which are usually restricted in the coastal areas and are characterized with the presence of special features like presence of pneumatophores, stilt roots, prop roots and salt glands in their leaves. There are 34 species of true mangroves in the present geographical locale with several ecological, pharmaceutical and economic utilities Mitra [4], but only six dominant species at ten different stations were selected for the present study.
Authors and Affiliations
Goutam Roy Chowdhury, Sangita Agarwal, Abhijit Mitra
Keywords
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- EP ID EP567422
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2017.01.000138
- Views 179
- Downloads 0
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