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Ecological and commercial implications of temporal and spatial variability in the composition of pigments and fatty acids in five Irish macroalgae

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Abstract

Seaweed habitats are characterised by constantly fluctuating environmental conditions which can influence the biochemical composition of species. To quantify the natural variability in concentrations and composition of pigments and fatty acids, a seasonal and spatial analysis of ecologically and economically important seaweed species (Fucus serratus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Himanthalia elongata, Laminaria digitata and Palmaria palmata) from Ireland was undertaken. Results revealed both common and species-specific patterns in seasonal and spatial algal composition. Generally, pigment concentrations decreased during summer months and were associated with a higher ratio of xanthophylls to chlorophylls. A similar response was observed regarding the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) which also decreased during summer. Concentrations in total fatty acids (TFA) revealed two distinct patterns in the five species investigated. In the two fucoid species, an increase in TFA during summer months was positively correlated with high proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids, implying an accumulation of storage lipids; in the remaining three species, proportions of PUFA were highest during winter and generally followed the seasonal trends of TFA. On a larger, geographical, scale, results demonstrated an influence of sampling location on pigments and fatty acids. Results highlight the complexity of interacting seasonal, spatial and species-specific drivers determining the biochemical composition of seaweeds which influences their value as food source and should be considered when natural stocks are harvested for high-value commercial applications.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by NutraMara, the Irish Marine Functional Foods Research Initiative funded by the Irish Marine Institute and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). The authors thank Kim Blaides for assistance during chemical analysis of the samples and Udo Nitschke for advice and assistance during the study. The authors thank the two anonymous reviewers for their valuable input.

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  1. Botany and Plant Science, School of Natural Sciences, Ryan Institute for Environmental, Marine and Energy Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Matthias Schmid, Freddy Guihéneuf & Dagmar B. Stengel

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  1. Matthias Schmid
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Correspondence to Matthias Schmid.

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Schmid, M., Guihéneuf, F. & Stengel, D.B. Ecological and commercial implications of temporal and spatial variability in the composition of pigments and fatty acids in five Irish macroalgae. Mar Biol 164, 158 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-017-3188-8

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