Original paper
The identification of organic substances associated with freshwater Ceratium hirundinella cells
Ewerts, Hendrik; Janse van Vuuren, Sanet; Barnard, Sandra; Swanepoel, Annelie
Fundamental and Applied Limnology Volume 192 Nr. 1 (2018), p. 15 - 21
published: Nov 16, 2018
published online: Sep 3, 2018
manuscript accepted: Aug 11, 2018
final revised version received: Jan 1, 2000
manuscript revision requested: Jan 1, 2000
manuscript received: Jul 6, 2018
ArtNo. ESP141019201001, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Phytoplankton synthesize biomolecules through the process of photosynthesis, and the decomposition of these molecules causes odors in water. While the freshwater dinoflagellate Ceratium hirundinella is well known for causing a variety of odors in water, the organic acid profile of this specimen has not been studied, and the compounds causing the odors have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify organic substances associated with C. hirundinella cells collected from a freshwater lake. Results reveal 131 organic substances, of which 27 are regarded as important due to their substantial quantity (> 1 mg L–1). Five fatty acids and two dicarboxylic acids are identified as the most prominent organic substances, with results showing that palmitic, succinic and oleic acids are the most important organic acids produced. Besides these, 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic, myristic, sebacic and palmitoleic acids also form part of the organic substance profile of C. hirundinella. It has become evident that high quantities of organic acids associated with C. hirundinella, may not be the sole cause of odors. It is thus proposed that organic substances, present in lower quantities, should be further investigated.
Keywords
algae • dinoflagellate • organic acids • palmitic acid • odors