Avaliação do efeito da microgravidade simulada por um clinostato 2D sobre comportamento de Lemna aequinoctialis

Abstract

The study of microgravity in plants began when researchers thought about the possibility of life on other planets. Then, it was important to understand how plant respond to the change of gravity. Lemna aequinoctialis is a plant from the water lentils family (Leminoideae), and it has been used for bioremediation and for feeding of other animals such as fish and pigs. In this work, Lemna aequinoctialis was exposed to microgravity through a 2D clinostat. The experiment was done with 4 different rotations (15, 35, 50, 75 rpm) besides the control (0 rpm), all were done for 30 minutes. It was evaluated which were the biochemical changes (amount of protein, amount of total phenolics, and total antioxidant capacity) and morphological changes on their development. In this work, it was observed that change of gravity affected differently the plants of L. aequinoctialis depending on the rotation that was submitted. Regarding the morphology, it was observed differences for root size at 35 and 75 rpm, and for frond size at 75 rpm. It was also verified an increase in protein concentration of 0.6 X on the seventh day at 50 rpm and a significant increase in protein concentration on the fifth day at 15 rpm. In relation of phenolic compounds, it was verified a reduction in all rotations and all the times evaluated. Furthermore, it was observed a small difference in the concentration of antioxidant compounds for all days of the experiment. This work brings us insights into how L. aequinoctialis might responds to the microgravity condition and it showed that there are many parameters to work using this plant with basic and/or applied approach.