Skip to main content

Stimulating phlorotannin production in brown macroalgae

Rebecca McKinney, MSci

My project is multidisciplinary, drawing from biology, chemistry, and engineering, to identify and examine the biotic and abiotic stressors that stimulate polyphenolic production in brown macroalgae, particularly the fucoids.

Phlorotannins are naturally occurring, phenolic compounds unique to brown macroalgae of increasing industrial interest because of their wide spectrum of bioactive properties. The need to understand the role of environmental stimuli in phlorotannin production is essential for assessments into their commercial viability.

My QUB Pure profile
How does light influence seaweed phenolics?

One of my main focuses is to investigate the role of light in phenolic production for optimising hatchery growth conditions of fucoids. Through the design and construction of a custom photobioreactor, whereby spectra and intensities of light can be varied, I aim to identify which wavelength peaks and intensities of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) are ideal for inducing phenolic production.

I also study the spatial and temporal variation in phenolic concentration throughout natural populations of serrated wrack (Fucus serratus) around Strangford Lough. This study investigates how the seasonal changes in environmental variables, such as light, temperature, nutrient availability and salinity, and spatial variation in shore height and wave exposure, may drive intraspecific variation and seasonal fluctuations in total polyphenolic concentration in local populations.