GLYCOALKALOIDS AFFECT PIGMENTS CONTENT OF SOME FRESH WATER ALGAE

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Botany Dept., Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza- Egypt

Abstract

Chlorophyll a synthesis in unicellular green, unicellular and colonial blue-green algae was simulated by moderate concentrations of both alkaloids used (solasodine and diosgenin). Chlorophyll b as well as carotenoids production was enhanced by lower concentrations of solasodine than diosgenin.
Phycobilins (phycocyanin and phycoerythrin) pigment production stimulated by lower solasodine and moderate diosgenin concentrations (0.004 and 0.02 %, respectively). The investigated autotrophic green and blue-green algae are more susceptible to solasodine than to its oxygen isomer diosgenin alkaloid.

Keywords