INFLUENCE OF UV-B RADIATION ON PIGMENTS AND BIOCHEMICAL CONTENTS OF THREE SPECIES OF CODIUM FROM SOUTH EAST COAST OF INDIA.
Abstract
Author(s): K.Eswaran*, M.Ganesan and K.H.Mody
The effect of UV-B radiation on pigments (Total chlorophyll, Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b) and biochemical contents ( Protein and Carbohydrate) of three species of Codium viz. C.dwarakensis C.de corticatum and C.tomentosum collected from intertidal and subtidal regions of Valai island, south east coast of India was investigated. The algae were exposed to UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation for 30, 60, 90,120,150 and 180 minutes and analyzed for pigment and biochemical contents. UV- B radiation inhibited 39% of total chlorophyll, 31% of chlorophyll a, 44% of chlorophyll b, 20% of protein and 10% of carbohydrate contents over control in C. decorticatum, . However UV B radiation induced pigments and biochemical contents in C. dwarakensis and C.tomentosum. In C. dwarakensis the maximum increase to the level of 177% of total chlorophyll, 151% of chlorophyll a, 221% in chlorophyll b , 15% of protein and 115% of carbohydrate contents was observed while in C.tomentosum, maximum increase to the level of 217% of total chlorophyll, 186% of chlorophyll a, 251% in chlorophyll b , 120% of protein and 1365% of carbohydrate contents was observed. The increase in the level of pigments and biochemical contents in C.dwarkenses and C.tomentosum is due to presence of these algae at intertidal region which may exhibit high tolerance to UV-B radiation. In addition to the position of the algae to the shore, presence of screening substances Mycosporine like aminoacid (MAA) also mitigate the effect of UV radiation. Key words: Codium, C.dwarakensis, C.decorticatum, C.tomentosum, pigments, Ultraviolet-B
