Induction of antioxidative activity and antioxidant molecules in the halotolerant cyanobacterium halothece sp. PCC7418 by temperature shift

Abstract

Extremophiles are a rich source of novel secondary metabolites and valuable antioxidative compounds. Here, we examined the antioxidative capacities of aqueous extracts derived from the halotolerant cyanobacterium Halothece sp. PCC7418. The antioxidative activities of extracts derived from Halothece sp. PCC7418 cells exposed to temperature shock were significantly enhanced. Quantification of antioxidant molecules (phenolic compounds and phycobiliproteins) in the aqueous extracts revealed that the amounts of these molecules were modulated by temperature shock. In addition, the intracellular accumulation of mycosporine- 2-glycine, a potential antioxidative molecule, was strongly enhanced by cold shock. Our results show that the treatment of Halothece sp. PCC7418 cells with temperature shock may allow for the robust production of antioxidants.