UV-absorbing pigments from some Saudi-Arabian algal species

Abstract

A total of 17 Saudi-Arabian algal species related to 4 classes (Cyanophyceae, Rhodophyceae, Phaeophyceae and Chlorophyceae) were screened for the presence of UV-absorbing pigments. Irradiation experiment was conducted on Cladophora glauescens to assess the response of this species to extradoses of UV-B radiation All the investigated species contain UV-B absorbing pigments. Although it has been suggested that green algae commonly contain low levels of UV-absorbing pigments some investigated green species showed promising quantities of these pigments. The amount of UV-absorbing pigments of Cladophora glauescens varied greatly according to the time as well as the distance of irradiation. Chlorophyll a, Chlorophyll b and carotenoids contents of the investigated species were also assessed. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.