The impact and mode of action of phenolic compounds extracted from brown seaweed on mixed anaerobic microbial cultures

Hierholtzer, A., Chatellard, L. , Kierans, M., Akunna, J.C. and Collier, P.J. (2013) The impact and mode of action of phenolic compounds extracted from brown seaweed on mixed anaerobic microbial cultures. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 114(4), pp. 964-973. (doi: 10.1111/jam.12114) (PMID:23279323)

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Abstract

Aims: This study discusses the effect of phenolic compounds extracted from brown seaweed (phlorotannins) on mixed microbial cultures found in anaerobic systems. Methods and Results: Assays were conducted with phloroglucinol as the nonpolymerized form of phlorotannin and with phlorotannins extracted from the brown seaweed Laminaria digitata. Electron micrographs revealed that phlorotannins induce significant extra‐ and intracellular effects upon cells, with the disruption of cell membranes observed with most micro‐organisms. Microscopy results were further confirmed by cell membrane leakage assays demonstrating that phloroglucinol strongly affects cell membrane permeability. However, cell membrane leakage could not be observed with phlorotannins as the cell suspension immediately started to coagulate and impaired spectrophotometric measurements. Conclusions: Results suggest that the bactericidal activity of phlorotannins is a function of the level of polymerization of the compounds. By monitoring intermediary compounds during the anaerobic digestion of phlorotannins, it was also found that higher energy consumption is required by micro‐organisms for survival under stress induced by phlorotannins.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Chatellard, Dr Lucile
Authors: Hierholtzer, A., Chatellard, L., Kierans, M., Akunna, J.C., and Collier, P.J.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
Journal Name:Journal of Applied Microbiology
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:1364-5072
ISSN (Online):1365-2672
Published Online:26 December 2012

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