Lessonia nigrescens explained
Lessonia nigrescens, the grey weed or giant grey weed, is a South American kelp species in the genus Lessonia.
There is at least two populations of the seaweed, marked by the difference in phenolic content. There is a subtidal population with higher phenol content and an intertidal population with a lighter phenol content. The difference in the phenolic content can be explained by the herbivory selection pressure due to the sea snail Tegula tridentata.[1]
UV treatment induces the production of phlorotannins that accumulate in physodes.[2]
This weed contains the phytosterol saringosterol that shows an inhibitory effect on Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth.[3]
External links
Notes and References
- Micropopulation differentiation in phenol content and susceptibility to herbivory in the Chilean kelp Lessonia nigrescenss (Phaeophyta, Laminariales). Enrique A. Martínez, Hydrobiologia, July 1996, Volume 326-327, Issue 1, pages 205-211,
- Induction of Phlorotannins During UV Exposure Mitigates Inhibition of Photosynthesis and DNA Damage in the Kelp Lessonia nigrescens. Ivan Gómez and Pirjo Huovinen, Photochemistry and Photobiology, September/October 2010, Volume 86, Issue 5, pages 1056–1063,
- Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth by saringosterol from Lessonia nigrescens. Wächter Gerald A, Franzblau Scott G, Montenegro Gloria, Hoffmann Joseph J, Maiese William M and Timmermann Barbara N, Journal of Natural Products, 2001, volume 64, number 11, pages 1463-1464,
