Abstract

Phytoplankton lipid metabolism is a vital process that influences the ecological and biogeochemical dynamics of marine ecosystems. Lipids in phytoplankton serve as energy stores, structural components and signaling molecules, playing critical roles in their growth, survival and interactions with the environment. This abstract provides an overview of the current understanding of phytoplankton lipid metabolism, highlighting its significance and implications. Phytoplankton produces and accumulates lipids through complex biochemical pathways, including lipid biosynthesis, desaturation, peroxidation and transport. The composition and quantity of lipids vary among different phytoplankton species, influencing their buoyancy, nutritional quality and interactions with higher trophic levels. Lipids also act as signaling molecules, regulating physiological processes and mediating responses to environmental cues. Lipid metabolism in phytoplankton is tightly regulated in response to environmental factors such as light intensity, nutrient availability, temperature, and carbon dioxide levels. Nutrient limitation triggers adjustments in lipid synthesis, composition, and turnover rates, enabling phytoplankton to optimize energy utilization and survival under challenging conditions. Moreover, lipid metabolism in phytoplankton contributes to the global carbon cycle by sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide and influencing carbon export to deeper ocean layers.

Keywords: Lipid catabolism; Lipid transport; Biosynthesis; Protein interactions; Lipidomics