Biogenic volatile organic compounds produced by two unicellular and two filamentous cyanobacteria after a high light shock

Abstract

The emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) is increasing due to the effects of climate change, and the related increases in biomass production and phytoplankton blooms. The Baltic Sea is subject to increased pollution and average temperature rises, with cyanobacterial blooms happening more often. For the majority of Baltic cyanobacteria, there is no information about BVOCs production. Thereby, in our study, we decided to qualitatively analyze these chemicals in four species common for the Baltic Sea and its lagoons: Synechocystis salina, Microcystis aeruginosa, Nodularia spumigena, and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. A high light stressor was used as a trigger for the production of BVOCs in monocultures. Depending on the species, two to seven compounds were identified from groups of cyclic and aliphatic alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and terpenes. β-cyclocitral (representative of nor-carotenoids) was obtained in M. aeruginosa, and for the first time, it was detected as being produced by N. spumigena. Two unidentified compounds were also found. For one of them, the analysis of mass spectra showed that it could be a sulfur-based compound. The study presents for the first time BVOCs that are produced by S. salina, N. spumigena, and A. flos-aquae after light stress.