Submitted by Mario BC (mario@bc.ufrpe.br) on 2017-10-10T12:30:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo de Jesus Fragozo Velasquez.pdf: 3149451 bytes, checksum: 4017d74b21a897c541b75d8d7a58ac50 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-10T12:30:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo de Jesus Fragozo Velasquez.pdf: 3149451 bytes, checksum: 4017d74b21a897c541b75d8d7a58ac50 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-20 / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of L-carnitine (LC) on the performance and histology of juvenile liver of Nile tilapia subjected to repeated doses of microcystins (MCs). To this end, lyophilized cells of cyanobacteria (CIAN) Microcystis aeruginosa strain NPJL-4 were included (3.3%) in diets without L-carnitine (CIAN), 1 g Lcarnitine kg-1 (CIAN+LC-1), 2 g of L-carnitine kg-1 (CIAN+LC-2) and without CIAN and LC (CONT). Juvenile Nile tilapia (± 4.8 g initial weight) were distributed in 60L tanks (20 fish / aquarium). The diets were fed for 28 days in three meals a rate of 5% of the biomass so as to provide 1.2 ug MC-LR, g-1/fish/day. On days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 samples of liver were collected for histological analysis. The survival and growth performance were not affected (p>0.05) by treatments. The foremost liver injury induced by MC intake was disorganization and necrosis of hepatocytes and pancreatic megalocytosis clutter. We could not find any significant protective effect of L-carnitine in Nile tilapia eating MCs repeatedly. The species showed high resistance to continuous intake of microcystins for 28 days. / No presente estudo foi avaliado o efeito da adição da L-carnitina (LC) sobre o desempenho e histologia do fígado de juvenis de tilápia do Nilo submetidos a repetidas doses de microcistina (MCs). Para isso, células liofilizadas de cianobactérias (CIAN) Microcystis aeruginosa NPJL4 foram incluídas (0,3%) em dietas sem L-carnitina (CIAN), com 1 g de L-carnitina kg-1 (CIAN+LC-1), 2 g de L-carnitina kg-1 (CIAN+LC-2) e sem CIAN e LC (CONT). Juvenis de tilápia do Nilo (±4,8 g de peso inicial) foram distribuídos em aquários de 60L (20 peixes/aquário). As dietas foram fornecidas durante 28 dias em três refeições diárias a taxa de 5% da biomassa de modo a fornecer 1,2 μg de microcistinas g-1 de peixe/dia. Nos dias 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 e 28 os fígados foram coletados para análises histológicas. A sobrevivência e o desempenho zootécnico não foram influenciados (p>0,05) pelos tratamentos. As principais lesões hepáticas induzidas pela ingestão de MCs foi a perda da coesão celular e necrose de hepatócitos, megalocitose e a perda da coesão celular pancreática. Não foi possível verificar nenhum efeito protetor significativo da L-carnitina em tilápias do Nilo ingerindo MCs repetidamente. A espécie demonstrou alta resistência a ingestão contínua de microcistinas por 28 dias.

Due to eutrophication of aquatic environment, massive growth of algae and cyanobacteria occurs and the seasonal algal bloom is formed. Drinking water treatment plants have to deal with the increased amount of cells as well as organic compounds produced by algae and cyanobacteria (so-called AOM). Moreover, the presence of AOM causes a reduction in the efficiency of coagulation, which is an essential process in drinking water treatment. To increase coagulation efficiency, supportive methods, such as ozone oxidation, are added usually prior to coagulation. While many studies focused on the ozonation of algal and cyanobacterial cells, little is known about the effect of ozonation on AOM. This diploma thesis focused on the evaluation of the effect of ozonation in combination with coagulation on the removal of cellular organic compounds (COM) produced by cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. The effect of ozonation before or after coagulation on COM removal was investigated. The degradation of microcystins, which are naturally contained in the COM sample, was also monitored. Various ozone doses (1 - 10 mg/L) were tested at three pH values - 5, 7 and 9. Two coagulants were utilized - aluminium sulphate and ferric sulphate. Ozonation removed COM negligibly. However, eliminated microcystins, the degradation...

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To initiate algal virus research in the Bay of Quinte, three stations were sampled biweekly throughout 2011. By targeting algal virus DNA polymerase, major capsid protein genes (MCP), and a Microcystis aeruginosa cyanophage (Ma-LMM01) tail sheath protein gene, PCR amplification revealed diverse and unique Phycodnaviruses (viruses of eukaryotic algae) and cyanophage. When analysed statistically, patterns of virus abundance suggested that the seasonality of any one virus cannot be generalised to predict that of other viruses, even among closely related viruses. This study also demonstrated a strong relationship between algal virus abundance and host biomass. It was found that despite the apparent heterogeneity of virus abundance across the Bay, virus abundance patterns clustered by sampling date and geographic location. By providing evidence for diverse algal viruses with complex seasonality, this work highlights significant gaps in the current understanding of Bay of Quinte phytoplankton ecology.

To initiate algal virus research in the Bay of Quinte, three stations were sampled biweekly throughout 2011. By targeting algal virus DNA polymerase, major capsid protein genes (MCP), and a Microcystis aeruginosa cyanophage (Ma-LMM01) tail sheath protein gene, PCR amplification revealed diverse and unique Phycodnaviruses (viruses of eukaryotic algae) and cyanophage. When analysed statistically, patterns of virus abundance suggested that the seasonality of any one virus cannot be generalised to predict that of other viruses, even among closely related viruses. This study also demonstrated a strong relationship between algal virus abundance and host biomass. It was found that despite the apparent heterogeneity of virus abundance across the Bay, virus abundance patterns clustered by sampling date and geographic location. By providing evidence for diverse algal viruses with complex seasonality, this work highlights significant gaps in the current understanding of Bay of Quinte phytoplankton ecology.

Cyanobacteria are one of the oldest forms of photosynthetic life and may have contributed significantly to the evolution of oxygen into the then anoxic environment. Cyanobacteria are also one of the best sources of natural secondary metabolites (cyanopeptides) some of which have harmful effects on the ecosystem, while others may be beneficial. It is known that these secondary metabolites are continuously produced during growth, however, it is not known whether the producing cyanobacteria actually benefit from these metabolites. The overarching aim of this study was to answer the question ‘Why do cyanobacteria produce secondary metabolites?’. With this aim in mind, preliminary work focused on understanding the growth and secondary metabolite production characteristics of Microcystis aeruginosa PCC7806. The technique of labelling secondary metabolites with 15N was successfully employed in differentiation and quantification of ex-novo and de-novo metabolites. The effect of exogenous cyanopeptides such as microcystins, aerucyclamides, anabaenopeptins, aeruginosamide, cyanopeptolin and aeruginosin on M. aeruginosa PCC7806 was evaluated using a rapid bioassay approach along with an automated cell enumeration technique. The results indicate that at least some cyanopeptides (microcystins-LR, microcystin-LF, aeruginosamide, anabaenopeptin B and aerucyclamide A) induce significant changes to cell division and metabolite production rate. In an ecological scenario, the release of such secondary metabolites by lysing cells (such as when blooms collapse), may be perceived as an alarm signal by surrounding live cells, which may in turn slow cell division and prepare for re-invasion. This may be a strategy for species survival and dominance. While the results from this study do not confirm a role for cyanopeptides, it is thought that the results are clearly indicative of the role played by cyanopeptides for the producing organism. In order to confirm a role, it is recommended that monitoring ribosomally synthesised metabolites (e.g. aerucyclamides) along with chlorophyll-a gene expression, with sophisticated techniques such as qPCR are used.

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The diploma thesis investigates the coagulation of nature waters with humic substances and peptides/proteins produced by Microcystis aeruginosa during water treatment process with aluminum coagulants. It was confirmed that the efficiency of coagulation mechanism of humic substances and peptides/proteins strongly depends on the pH value, because pH value is limited factor of a charge properties of peptides/proteins, humic substances and hyrolysis products of coagulants. The optimal pH range for the coagulation of humic substances was 5- 6 and for cyanobacterial peptides/proteins 5-6.5. In both cases a charge neutralisation and an adsorption were dominant mechanism of coagulation. Optimal pH range for the coagulation of humic substances in the presence of cyanobacterial peptides/proteins was identical as well as optimal pH range of humic substances with absence of peptides/proteins (5-6) but the presence of peptides/proteins positively influenced particle coagulation of humic substances, because the optimal concentration of the coagulants decreased to more than half. An interaction between humic substances and peptides/proteins was demonstrated. A positive effect of coagulation was observed in the case of jar tests with absence of coagulants at a very low pH range (<4). Keywords Humic substances; AOM...

The aim of the diploma thesis is to analyze the mechanisms involved in the coagulation of peptides and proteins contained in cellular organic matter produced by Microcystis aeruginosa, and to describe their influence on the coagulation of hydrophobic kaolin suspension. According to the results of jar tests, the coagulation effectiveness and removability of COM peptides/proteins and kaolin particles are heavily dependent on pH value which determines charge characteristics of peptides/proteins, kaolin and hydrolysis products of coagulant and therefore the prevailing mechanisms of interactions between them. Efficient coagulation and the highest removal of COM peptides and proteins were achieved in the pH range of 4-6 due to charge neutralization of peptide/protein negative surface by positively charged hydrolysis products of ferric coagulant. Peptides and proteins contributed to the coagulation of kaolin particles under the reaction conditions mentioned above, too. Charge neutralization and adsorption were found to be the dominant coagulation mechanisms under these conditions. At a low COM/Fe concentration ratio (COM/Fe < 0.33), adsorption of peptides/proteins onto ferric oxide-hydroxide particles, described as the electrostatic patch model, enabled the coagulation in the pH range of 6-8. On the...