Speaker
Description
The Lemnaceae family exhibits remarkable ecological plasticity, allowing these aquatic plants to thrive in diverse freshwater habitats. A key mechanism of this adaptation is the modulation of membrane lipids, which is crucial for maintaining biological functions under fluctuating environmental conditions. While their potential as a sustainable protein source is well-known, the ecological drivers shaping interspecific variations in fatty acid profiles remain under-explored.
This study examines the physiological adaptations of four species (Lemna gibba, L. minor, L. turionifera, and Spirodela polyrhiza) from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany. Through a common garden experiment, we analyzed the influence of temperature (18, 24, 30 °C) and nutrient availability (half, standard, and double concentrated N-medium) on fatty acid profiles.
Results show generally comparable profiles across species, regardless of turion-forming abilities. However, L. gibba exhibited higher proportions of stearidonic and γ-linolenic acids, whereas S. polyrhiza showed only traces of these compounds. Temperature exerted a stronger influence than nutrients; higher temperatures increased saturated fatty acids while reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly n-3 types. Minor nutrient effects were observed in L. gibba and S. polyrhiza. These findings highlight thermal adaptation as a primary driver of lipid metabolism. Further research on nitrogen-phosphorus ratios and clones from warmer regions may further unveil specialized desaturase adaptations to higher temperatures.
Keywords
fatty acid profiles, plasticity, adaptation
References
Bernhardt PDH (2024) Fatty acid profiles of regional Duckweed species. Master Thesis - University Greifswald, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology
| Corresponding author email | manuela.bog@uni-greifswald.de |
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| Scientific Session | Ecology & Diversity |
