Toxic dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium cause Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), which consist of a massive increase in the number of phytoplankton cells. This phenomenon has been intensified in recent decades due to eutrophication, which is the abrupt increase in nutrient availability in the water, usually stemming from human activity. A recent collaboration of researchers from the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela; Universidad Austral de Chile, Universidad Santo Tomás, Universidad Católica de ka Santísima Concepción; Melisa Institute; i-Mar Center, and INCAR Center, conducted a proteomic and toxicological analysis of the response of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella to changes in the concentration of Sodium Nitrate (NaNO3).
The study results suggest that there are several metabolic processes competing to utilize nitrate, and this could have an impact on toxin production. The data obtained from the study contribute to a more sustainable aquaculture by providing valuable information on how toxic phytoplankton responds to different nutrient levels, which can help prevent the proliferation of harmful algae and minimize the risks associated with their toxins.
For more information, please red the article “Proteomic and Toxicological analysis of the response of dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella to changes in NaNO3 concentration”
