Highlights
- • Higher pCO2 reduces growth of Pyropia yezoensis.
- • Higher pCO2 induces synthesis of phycobiliprotein and flavor amino acids.
- • Higher nitrate alleviates the negative effect of ocean acidification on growth.
- • Higher nitrate and pCO2 synergistically stimulate phycobiliprotein synthesis.
- • Higher nitrate and higher pCO2 synergistically stimulate amino acid synthesis.
Abstract
Pyropia yezoensis is an important marine crop in the world. We cultured it under two levels of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2) (408 (LC), 998 (HC) μatm) and nitrate (30 (LN) and 500 (HN) μmol L-1) to investigate the effect of ocean acidification on its growth and food quality under changing nitrogen supply. HC decreased growth rate of P. yezoensis under LN but did not affect it under HN. Phycoerythrin and phycocyanin were enhanced by HC, particularly at HN, which contributed to the darker color. HC stimulated the synthesis of sweat amino acids regardless of nitrate condition and umami amino acid only under LN. HN increased the content of umami amino acids regardless of pCO2 condition and sweet amino acids only under LC. Our findings indicate that future ocean acidification may reduce biomass yield of P. yezoensis but increase its color and flavor, which was regulated by nitrate availability.
Gao G., Gao Q., Bao M., Xu J. & Li X., in press. Nitrogen availability modulates the effects of ocean acidification on biomass yield and food quality of a marine crop Pyropia yezoensis. Food Chemistry. Article (subscription required).
