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Identification of isethionic acid and other small molecule metabolites of Fragilariopsis cylindrus with nuclear magnetic resonance

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Abstract

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used to obtain metabolic profiles of the polar diatom Fragilariopsis cylindrus, leading to the identification of a novel metabolite in this organism. Initial results from an ongoing metabolomics study have led to the discovery of isethionic acid (2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, CAS: 107-36-8) as a major metabolite in F. cylindrus. This compound is being produced by the organism under normal culture conditions. This finding is the first report of a diatom producing isethionic acid. In addition to isethionic acid, four other metabolites, dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), betaine, homarine, and proline were present and may serve as osmoprotectants in F. cylindrus. NMR-based metabolite profiles of F. cylindrus were obtained along a growth curve of the organism. The relative concentration levels of the five metabolites were monitored over a growth period of F. cylindrus from 18 to 25 days. All showed an increase in relative concentration with time, except for proline, which began to decrease after day 21.

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Acknowledgements

This study has been made possible through funding from the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (ANT-0739446 to PAL and ANT-0739597 to MGJ). We acknowledge the support of the Hollings Marine Laboratory NMR Facility. Commercial equipment or materials are identified in this paper to specify adequately the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose. Furthermore, the findings and conclusions in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the funding agencies.

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Author notes

  1. Arezue F. B. Boroujerdi

    Present address: Claflin University, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Analytical Chemistry Division, Hollings Marine Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    Arezue F. B. Boroujerdi & Daniel W. Bearden

  2. Hollings Marine Laboratory, Department of Biology, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 29412, USA

    Peter A. Lee, Giacomo R. DiTullio & Sarah B. Vied

  3. Department of Medicine-Nephrology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA

    Michael G. Janech

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  1. Arezue F. B. Boroujerdi
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Correspondence to Daniel W. Bearden.

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Boroujerdi, A.F.B., Lee, P.A., DiTullio, G.R. et al. Identification of isethionic acid and other small molecule metabolites of Fragilariopsis cylindrus with nuclear magnetic resonance. Anal Bioanal Chem 404, 777–784 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6169-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-012-6169-2

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