Role of polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs) in the chemical interactions within a microphytobenthic community (Conero Riviera, northern Adriatic Sea)

Three common benthic diatoms (Tabularia affinis, Proschkinia complanatoides and Navicula sp.) from the Conero Riviera (northern Adriatic Sea) were studied to provide evidence on their capacity to produce polyunsaturated aldehydes (PUAs). The values per cell found in the three species highlighted their PUA potential release and effect on benthic dinoflagellates. Thus, the effects of some common PUAs (heptadienal, octadienal and decadienal) on the growth, cytological features and cell morphology of Ostreopsis cf. ovata were investigated, showing. a decrease of its growth, presence of abnormal cells morphologies, DNA degradation and increase of lipids, especially when algal cells were exposed to the longest-chain PUA.