Effect of photon flux density and temperature on the production of halogenated monoterpenes by Plocamium cartilagineum (Plocamiaceae, Rhodophyta)

Abstract

The effect of different photon flux densities (PFD) and temperatures on the relative growth rate (RGR) and the concentration of three halogenated monoterpenes in samples of Plocamium cartilagineum L.(Dixon), a marine alga (Rhodophyceae), were studied. The highest RGR (22.8 ± 0.04 d -1) was obtained at 15°C and 41 μmol m-2 s -1 of PFD and the lowest (18.0 ± 0.12 d-1) was obtained at 18°C and 120 μmol m-2 s-1. The different temperatures and light used in assays did not affect significantly the production of organic compounds. The production of mertensene and violacene was not affected significantly. However, compound 1 reached the highest concentration at 15°C and 65 μmol m-2 s-1. The relationship between growth and production of monoterpenes of P. cartilagineum and the effect of temperature and the PFD were analyzed.