Relaxation of the non-photochemical chlorophyll fluorescence quenching in diatoms: kinetics, components and mechanisms.

Diatoms are especially important microorganisms because they constitute the larger group of microalgae. To survive the constant variations of the light environment, diatoms have developed mechanisms aiming at the dissipation of excess energy, such as the xanthophyll cycle and the non-photochemical chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence quenching. This contribution is dedicated to the relaxation of the latter process when the adverse conditions cease.

Method for resolution and quantification of components of the non-photochemical quenching (q (N)).

A new method of the chlorophyll (Chl) a fluorescence quenching analysis is described, which allows the calculation of values of (at least) three components of the non-photochemical quenching of the variable Chl a fluorescence (q (N)) using a non-linear regression of a multi-exponential function within experimental data. Formulae for coefficients of the "energy"-dependent (DeltapH-dependent) quenching (q (E)), the state-transition quenching (q (T)) and the photo/inhibitory quenching (q (I)) of Chl a fluorescence were found on the basis of three assumptions: (i) the dark relaxation kinetics of q (N), as well as of all its components, is of an exponential nature, (ii) the superposition principle is valid for individual Chl a fluorescence quenching processes and (iii) the same reference fluorescence level (namely the maximum variable Chl a fluorescence yield in the dark-adapted state, F (V)) is used to define both q (N) and its components. All definitions as well as the algorithms for analytical recognition of the q (N) components are theoretically clarified and experimentally tested.

Light-induced quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence at 77 K in leaves, chloroplasts and Photosystem II particles.

The light-induced chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence decline at 77 K was investigated in segments of leaves, isolated thylakoids or Photosystem (PS) II particles. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence declines by about 40% upon 16 min of irradiation with 1000 mumol m(-2) s(-1) of white light. The decline follows biphasic kinetics, which can be fitted by two exponentials with amplitudes of approximately 20 and 22% and decay times of 0.

Cadmium inhibits epoxidation of diatoxanthin to diadinoxanthin in the xanthophyll cycle of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.

Cd has pleiotropic effects on plant physiology and in particular on photosynthesis. It has not been established yet if Cd alters the functioning of the xanthophyll cycle. To answer this question, an exponentially growing culture of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum was incubated with Cd (20 mg/l) for 24 h and irradiated with a light activating the xanthophyll cycle, which in diatoms, consists of the reversible deepoxidation of diadinoxanthin to diatoxanthin.