Variations on primary metabolites of the carrageenan-producing red algae Sarcopeltis skottsbergii from Chile and Sarcopeltis antarctica from Antarctic Peninsula

Several studies reported that gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of Gigartinaceae produce different carrageenan types, as observed in Sarcopeltis species although they have isomorphic haploid diploid phases. Cystocarpic non-fertile plants (ex Gigartina ) skottsbergii produced kappa-carrageenans, while lambda-carrageenans, yields were higher cystocarpic sterile specimens than tetrasporophytes. However, comparison on the other primary metabolites among life history phases still needed to be investigated. Then, we tested hypothesis if variation (pigments, proteins carbohydrates) are related antarctica , and/or influenced by abiotic factors. Primary S. varied according life-history phases: presented phycobiliprotein concentrations, chlorophyll a concentrations proteins, polysaccharides floridean starch. response some factors (nutrients, temperature salinity), since principal component analysis evidenced two groups; one was nitrate phosphate temperatures lower salinities. Concentrations starch, low molecular weight carbohydrates, which could protective role these compounds against salinity faced Antarctic extreme environments.