Mechanism of electrochemical algal control and its effect on metabolic pathways of algal cells

Abstract

Algal blooms cause significant ecological and economic issues. Electrochemical methods inhibit algal blooms effectively, but their effects on algal cell gene expression and metabolic pathways remain underexplored, requiring further mechanistic and ecological data to elucidate these mechanisms. This study revealed the control mechanism of electrochemical methods on Microcystis aeruginosa using flow cytometry, real-time PCR and untargeted metabolomics. Results indicate that electrochemical treatment induces oxidative stress, severely damaging algal cell membranes and impairing cell activity. Gene transcription analysis reveals that •OH oxidation leads to lipid peroxidation, damaging proteins, biological macromolecules, and the photosynthetic system. Metabolomics data show disruptions in amino acid, carbohydrate, and sphingolipid metabolism, affecting the tricarboxylic acid cycle, transporter proteins, and photosynthesis. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which electrochemical methods control cyanobacterial blooms, offering theoretical and practical insights for effective management strategies.