Reactive oxygen species: response of algal cells

This is a presentation on the current status of antioxidant research in the field of algology. The imposition of oxidative stresses by various environmental factors leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plant cells, including algal cells. An analysis of defense processes reveals much in common between stresses. A general rise in activities of various antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR), and non-enzymatic components such as GSH (reduced glutathione), ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, β-carotene, flavonoids, hydroquinones, etc. following exposure to various environmental stresses is evident, yet a depression in some antioxidant responses is species- and stress-specific. An exciting future, however, lies ahead in understanding the role of ROS in plant signal transduction and the exploitation of microalgal strains for the large-scale production of natural antioxidants.