Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from microalgae as an alternative to conventional antibiotics in aquaculture.

The excessive use of conventional antibiotics has resulted in significant aquatic pollution and a concerning surge in drug-resistant bacteria. Efforts have been consolidated to explore and develop environmentally friendly antimicrobial alternatives to mitigate the imminent threat posed by multi-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained prominence due to their low propensity to induce bacterial resistance, attributed to their multiple mechanisms of action and synergistic effects. Microalgae, particularly cyanobacteria, have emerged as promising alternatives with antibiotic potential to address these challenges. The aim of this review is to present some AMPs extracted from microalgae, emphasizing their activity against common pathogens and elucidating their mechanisms of action, as well as their potential application in the aquaculture industry. Likewise, the biosynthesis, advantages and disadvantages of the use of AMPs are described. Currently, biotechnology tolls are used to enhance the action of these peptides, such as genetically modified microalgae and recombinant proteins. Cyanobacteria are also mentioned as major producers of peptides, among them, the genus Lyngbya is described as the most important producer of bioactive peptides with potential therapeutic use. The majority of cyanobacterial AMPs are of the cyclic type, meaning that they have cysteine and disulfide bridges, thanks to this, their greater antimicrobial activity and selectivity. Likewise, we found that large hydrophobic aromatic amino acid residues increase specificity, and improve antibacterial efficacy. However, based on the results of this review, it is possible to highlight that while microalgae show potential as a source of AMPs, further research in this field is necessary to achieve safe and competitive production. Therefore, the data presented here can aid in the selection of microalgal species, peptide structures, and target bacteria, with the goal of establishing biotechnological platforms for aquaculture applications.

Dinámica del consumo y aporte de nutrientes de fitoplancton, dominado por Microcystis sp. (Cyanophyceae) del lago de Amatitlán / Dynamics of the consumption and nutrient supply of phytoplankton, dominated by Microcystis sp. (Cyanophyceae) of Lake Amatitlán

El impacto antrópico cercano al lago de Amatitlán ha generado niveles altos de eutrofización que conllevan cambios en la dinámica del ecosistema. Uno de ellos es la proliferación de cianobacterias del género Microcystis que pueden llegar a ser perjudiciales para la fauna y flora de lugar e incluso para los seres humanos. Se presenta el caso de cultivo de un consorcio de fitoplancton, tomado directamente del lago y llevado al laboratorio en condiciones controladas, para medir su consumo y aporte de nitrógeno y fósforo, además de los cambios en los factores fisicoquímicos y la biomasa. Se observó la presencia de diatomeas del genero Nitszchia y cianobacterias como Dolichospermum, con una marcada dominancia de Microcystis sp. Se analizó el porcentaje de cambio en la concentración de nutrientes. Los resultados indican que hubo un aumento en las concentraciones de amonio, nitrato y nitrógeno inorgánico disuelto, mientras que disminuyó el nitrógeno total, el fósforo total y los ortofosfatos. Esto indica que hay aporte de nitrógeno inorgánico, consumo de fósforo y nitrógeno orgánico. El fósforo parece ser el nutriente limitante, ya que, al consumirse en un 90 % la biomasa empieza a decrecer.

The anthropic impact near lake Amatitlán has generated high levels of eutrophication that lead to changes in ecosystem dynamics. One of them is the proliferation of cyanobacteria of the genus Microcystis that can be harmful to the fauna and flora of the place and even to humans. The case of cultivation of a phytoplankton consortium, taken directly from the lake and taken to the laboratory under controlled conditions, to measure its consumption and contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus, in addition to changes in physicochemical factors and biomass is presented. The presence of diatoms of the genus Nitszchia and cyanobacteria such as Dolichospermum was detected, with a marked dominance of Microcystis sp. The percentage change in nutrient concentration was analyzed. The results indicated that there was an increase in the amounts of dissolved inorganic ammonium, nitrate and nitrogen, while total nitrogen, total phosphorus and orthophosphates decreased. This indicates that there is contribution of inorganic nitrogen, consumption of phosphorus and organic nitrogen. Phosphorus seems to be the limiting nutrient, since, when consumed by 90 %, biomass begins to decrease.

Evaluación anual del fitoplancton y su respuesta a la calidad de agua en el lago de Amatitlán, Guatemala / Annual evaluation of phytoplankton and its answer to water quality in Amatitlán lake, Guatemala

Se realizó un estudio sobre la composición y abundancia del fitoplancton en el lago de Amatitlán, y el efecto de la calidad de agua sobre su biodiversidad. Para ello, se colectaron muestras de agua en cuatro puntos específicos del lago, en la superficie del agua y a profundidades de 5, 10 y 20 m, de manera mensual durante el 2017. Se midieron parámetros fisicoquímicos in situ como temperatura y pH. Igualmente, se identificaron y contabilizaron cianobacterias y microalgas. El índice de estado trófico (IETP) catalogó al lago como eutrófico e hipertrófico (IETP = 63.80-88.18). Se reportan 34 géneros de fitoplancton distribuidos en 30 familias, 17 órdenes y 10 clases. Los indicadores biológicos, tales como, floraciones algales de Microcystis (38.41%), baja diversidad de diatomeas (Nitzschia, Aulacoseira y Cyclotella), presencia de microalgas Nitzschia y Scenedesmusresistentes a procesos de eutrofización, y alta concentración de coliformes fecales, de hasta 24,000 NMP/100 ml, evidenciaron la baja calidad de agua que se presenta en el lago de Amatitlán. En época seca se encontró más diversidad de microalgas debido a la mayor incidencia de radiación solar, el poco recambio de agua y la acumulación de materia orgánica. Aunque esto varía con los cambios en la concentración de nitrógeno total (NT) y fosforo total (PT), que potencian la proliferación de cianobacterias tóxicas. La biodiversidad del lago fue baja debido al estado hipereutrófico en que se encuentra. Se recomienda poner en funcionamiento plantas de tratamiento de aguas residuales para evitar que esta problemática continúe.

A study was carried out on the composition and abundance of phytoplankton in Amatitlán lake, and the effect of water quality on its biodiversity. For this, water samples were collected at four specific points in the lake, on the water surface and at depths of 5, 10 and 20 m, in a monthly way during 2017. Physicochemical parameters were measured in situ such as temperature and pH. Likewise, cyanobacteria and microalgae were identified and accounted. The trophic state index (IETP) cataloged the lake as eutrophic and hypertrophic (IETP = 63.80-88.18). 34 genera of phytoplankton distributed in 30 families, 17 orders and 10 classes are reported. Biological indicators, such as Microcystis algal blooms (38.41%), low diatom diversity (Nitzschia, Aulacoseira and Cyclotella), presence of Nitzschia and Scenedesmus microalgae resistant to eutrophication processes, and high concentration of fecal coliforms, up to 24,000 NMP/100 ml, evidenced the low quality of water that occurs in lake Amatitlán. In the dry season, more microalgae diversity was found due to the higher incidence of solar radiation, little water change and the accumulation of organic matter. Even though this varies with changes in the concentration of total nitrogen (NT) and total phosphorus (PT), which enhance the proliferation of toxic cyanobacteria. The lake's biodiversity was low due to its hypereutrophic state. We recommend to put this wastewater treatment plants into operation to prevent this problem to continue.

Effect of the Riparian Vegetation on the Phytoperiphyton of Wetlands in the Colombian Orinoquía / Efecto de la vegetación riparia sobre el fitoperifiton de humedales en la orinoquía colombiana

RESUMEN La vegetación riparia es primordial para el funcionamiento de los ecosistemas acuáticos al aportar materia orgánica. Dado que el perifiton juega un rol indispensable en la dinámica de estos ecosistemas y existen pocos trabajos sobre su ecología en el Neotrópico, se planteó la pregunta: ¿Cómo afecta el tipo de cobertura vegetal de la zona riparia, la estructura del fitoperifiton de humedales de la Orinoquía? En noviembre de 2016 se estudiaron 15 humedales con cobertura boscosa y 15 humedales con vegetación herbácea en su zona riparia. Los humedales están ubicados en la zona periurbana de Villavicencio, Meta (Colombia). Se comparó la diversidad algal entre coberturas riparias y se realizaron análisis de Redundancia para determinar que variables ambientales explicaban la composición del fitoperifiton. Se encontraron 467 morfotipos de algas, el 36,2 % perteneció a la clase Zygnematophyceae, 35,3 % a Bacillariophyceae y 16 % a Chlorophyceae. En cuanto a las diatomeas, se encontraron 165 morfoespecies distribuidas en 30 géneros. Eunotia y Pinnularia fueron los más representativos. Los análisis multivariados indicaron que la composición de diatomeas se relacionó con la cobertura vegetal litoral y el carbono orgánico total. El resto del fitoperifiton fue explicado por la temperatura y la conductividad. Modelos de regresión lineal mostraron que la diversidad de diatomeas fue explicada por el número de sustratos, la temporalidad y la cobertura vegetal riparia. Los resultados permiten concluir que en humedales antropizados de la Orinoquía colombiana, el tipo de cobertura vegetal riparia afecta la composición y diversidad de las diatomeas.

ABSTRACT Riparian vegetation is essential for the functioning of aquatic ecosystems by providing organic matter. Given that periphyton plays an indispensable role in the dynamics of these ecosystems and there are few works on its ecology in the Neotropic our research question was: How does the riparian vegetation cover affect the structure of the phytoperiphyton in wetlands of the Orinoquía? In November 2016, we sampled 15 wetlands covered by forest and 15 wetlands covered by herbaceous vegetation in the riparian zone. The wetlands are located in the peri-urban area of Villavicencio, Meta (Colombia). The algal diversity between coverage types was compared and Redundancy Analyses were carried out to determine which environmental variables explain the phytoperiphyton composition. 467 morphotypes of microalgae were found, 36.2 % belonged to the Zygnematophyceae Class, 35.3 % to Bacillariophyceae, and 16 % to Chlorophyceae. 165 morpho-species of diatom distributed in 30 genera were found. Eunotia and Pinnularia were the most representative. The multivariate analyzes indicate that the composition of diatoms was related to the littoral vegetation coverage and the total organic carbon. The rest of the phytoperifiton was explained by temperature and conductivity. Linear regression models showed that the diversity of diatoms was explained by the number of substrates, temporality and the type of riparian coverage. We conclude that in anthropogenic wetlands of the Colombian Orinoquía, the type of riparian vegetation affects the composition and diversity of diatoms.