Activity of phase I and phase II detoxication enzymes in Antarctic and Arctic macroalgae

Presented data demonstrate the existence of various phase I and phase II detoxication enzymes in nine species of Antarctic and Arctic macroalgae cultivated under laboratory conditions. The different enzyme activities were widely distributed in the tested Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta. Concerning the cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase system, it was possible to determine several activities for fatty acid substrates such as lauric acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid and furthermore for 3-chlorobiphenyl, a xenobiotic substrate. The conversion of the 3-chlorobiphenyl to a monohydroxymonochlorobiphenyl was established using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Also phase II enzyme activity such as microsomal and soluble glutathione S-transferases and O- and N-glucosyltransferases were detected in these marine algae. These results point to similarities with detoxication in mammalian liver and confirm the concept of the ‘green liverʹ described previously and extend this concept also to marine plants, which may be important as a sink because of their large biomass. ©