High Light-Induced Changes in the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes and the Accumulation of Astaxanthin in the Green Alga Haematococcus pluvialis

Abstract

We investigated high light-induced alterations in antioxidant enzymes by exposing green vegetative cells of the alga Haematococcus pluvialis to excess irradiance to induce the production of astaxanthin, a carotenoid pigment. Total activity of catalase decreased approximately 70% after high light exposure, whereas glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity was slightly enhanced. Total activity of superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) also slightly decreased. Overall, we did not observe dramatically elevated levels of antioxidant isozymes, although APXn, GPX2, and GPX3 isozyme increased slightly. H2O2 content increased about sixfold after high light exposure, demonstrating severe cellular oxidative stress, whereas lipid peroxidation was notably reduced. Concomitantly, astaxanthin accumulation increased about sevenfold. This result suggests that probably massively accumulated astaxanthin may be one of the antioxidant protector against high light stress.