P283-WE INVESTIGATION OF PHOTOSYNTHETIC BACTERIA AND ALGAE BY RESONANCE RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY

Cyanobacteria and algae comprise a large and diverse group of organisms that are widely distributed in freshwater, marine, terrestrial, and extreme environments. Cyanobacterial and algal identification and classification rely on morphological characterization and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Morphology however, can be misleading in certain circumstances, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing can be time consuming. Analysis of pigments that have taxonomic value may be an alternative approach to the identification, classification, and discrimination of cyanobacteria and algae in environmental samples. It is well-known that the chloroplasts of photosynthetic organisms contain a wide variety of pigments which in turn are known to be taxonomic markers (Fawley, 1989; Andersen et al., 1996). The primary biological function of these pigments is the absorption of light. The light energy is then either transferred to photosynthetic reaction centres to drive photosynthesis or re-emitted at longer wavelengths, to avoid photodamage to cells. These pigments fall into three main categories: chlorophylls and carotenoids, both soluble in organic solvents; and phycobiliprotein which is soluble in water. There are several types o