Crypthecodinium cohnii
| Crypthecodinium cohnii | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Crypthecodinium cohnii | ||||||||||||
| ( Seligo 1887) Javornicky 1962 |
Crypthecodinium cohnii is a marine , red microalga , which is also known under its basionym Gyrodinium cohnii Seligo . The microalga belongs to the sub-strain of dinoflagellates . These eukaryotic unicellular organisms are characterized by the presence of flagella . In contrast to most algae , Crypthecodinium cohnii does not get its energy through photosynthesis , but is heterotrophic , which is why it is often found on rotting algae. For experimental purposes, media with additives such as glucose are used, synthetic sea salt and yeast extracts are used.
Secondary metabolites
Docosahexanoic acid
Crypthecodinium cohnii was as united production organism of DHA identified (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is a long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acid and is one of the omega-3 fatty acids. The interest in this fatty acid has increased steadily in recent years, as it is used for the prevention and also to some extent for the treatment of diseases such as arthritis , thrombosis , arteriosclerosis or various types of cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids are mainly found in fish oil , which is added to food as an additive . However, fish oil has the major disadvantage that it can change the taste of the food unpleasantly due to the typical fish odor. DHA is therefore a good alternative as a dietary supplement .
DHA is found in breast milk and affects the visual and neurological development of infants, which is why DHA is often added to infant formula.
Brevetoxin A
The Brevetoxin A is one of the poisons which to shellfish poisoning result. Together with other polyethers , they are the cause of increased algae death. Brevetoxin A are used in laboratory experiments to research ion channels.
This poison is produced by red dinoflagellates, but Crypthecodinium cohnii is not specifically mentioned.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Michael D. Guiry, GM Guiry: Crypthecodinium cohnii In: Algaebase - World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway , accessed July 4, 2013
- ^ Martin Egbert De Swaaf: Docosahexaenoic acid production by the marine algae Crypthecodinium cohnii. Dissertation, 2003, online
- ↑ Francesco Pietra: Secondary metabolites from marine microorganisms: bacteria, protozoa, algae and fungi. Achievements and prospects. In: Nat Prod Rep ., 1997, 14, 453-464, doi: 10.1039 / NP9971400453