Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.1515/botcro-2016-0034

The impact of cadmium on photosynthetic performance and secondary metabolites in the lichens Parmelia sulcata, Flavoparmelia caperata and Evernia prunastri

Ana Maslać ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Maslać ; Oikon Ltd. Institute of Applied Ecology, Trg senjskih uskoka 1–2, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Mirta Tkalec orcid.org/0000-0003-4733-828X ; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Lichens are one of the most common air quality bioindicators. Airborne heavy metal pollution causes various physiological changes in lichens, but sensitivity to metal pollution is species specific. In this research, three lichen species (Parmelia sulcata, Flavoparmelia caperata and Evernia prunastri) were exposed to cadmium (50 mg L–1) in laboratory conditions. Photosynthetic efficiency of photosystem II and content of secondary metabolites were determined after one, three and eight days of exposure. In all investigated species treatment of lichen thalli with cadmium signifi cantly changed Fv/Fm and RFd only after eight days of exposure. Quantifi cation of metabolites showed a decreased content of the medullary depsidones salazinic acid (in P. sulcata) and protocetraric acid (in F. caperata) but increased content of cortical depside atranorin (in P. sulcata) and dibenzofurane usnic acid (in F. caperata) after cadmium exposure. However, no changes in secondary metabolites were found in E. prunastri. Results show that investigated species are relatively resistant to short-term cadmium-exposure and that secondary metabolites could have an important role in the protection of primary metabolism from negative cadmium impacts, at least in some species.

Keywords

air pollution; heavy metal; HPLC; photosynthesis

Hrčak ID:

166898

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/166898

Publication date:

1.10.2016.

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