Induction of the synthesis of an UV-absorbing substance in the green alga Prasiola stipitata

The chlorophyte Prasiola stipitata produces a UV-absorbing substance with an absorption maximum at 324 nm. The wavelength-dependent induction of the synthesis of this substance was investigated using simulated solar radiation in combination with 15 cut-off and one broad-band filter. The algae were exposed from three different distances (89, 100 and 119 cm) to the solar simulator producing a maximum of 203.58, 1.24 and 46.86 W/m2 and a minimum of 107.94, 0.64 and 24.44 W/m2 irradiances for PAR, UV-B and UV-A, respectively. A polychromatic action spectrum was calculated from the pooled results showing a clear maximum at 300 nm in the long-wavelength UV-B range, but there is still some induction caused by UV-A and PAR. The ratio of the effectiveness from PAR to UV-A to UV-B amounts to 1:2:22.