Algal diversity on the granite monument in front of the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University

The paper presents the results on the species composition of aeroterrestrial algae that developed on a granite monument in the urban environment in the central part of the Bulgarian capital town Sofia, situated in front of the Faculty of Biology of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. After scraping the visible algal layers from both frontal (northern) and back (southern) side of the monument, samples were immediately processed by conventional light microscopy on non-permanent slides. The algal diversity comprised six species from the following four taxonomic phyla: Cyanoprokaryota, Chlorophyta, Streptophyta and Ochrophyta. The obtained samples are deposited in the Living Algal Collection of Sofia University (ACUS) for further proceeding and cultivation

Species composition of Cyanoprokaryota in the summer phytoplankton of 55 lakes and reservoirs, sampled in Bulgaria in the years 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023

The paper presents detailed results on cyanoprokaryote diversity in the summer phytoplankton of 55 lakes, small and large reservoirs sampled in Bulgaria in the frame of three joined projects related to algal blooms threat to human health and national security. The phytoplankton of twenty from these selected waterbodies was sampled for first time. In total, 185 species and one variety from 55 genera have been identified, 54 of which (29%) were novel for the country. The average contribution of cyanophytes to the phytoplankton per site was 8 species (or 44% of the total biodiversity), reaching in some sites 80%. According to the morphology, the recorded algae were distributed as follows: 83 coccal, 52 non-heterocytous filamentous and 51 heterocytous filamentous cyanoprokaryotes. Their average contribution to the phytoplankton diversity was estimated as 4 coccal, 2 non-heterocytous and 2 heterocytous species per site. Most of the cyanoprokaryote species (94, or 51%) were recorded only once, even in the case of wetlands and sites which have been repeatedly visited during all sampling campaigns. These 96 species embrace 39 coccal, 23 non-heteroctous and 32 heterocytous forms. No species was found in all studied waterbodies. The most widely spread species were Microcystis aeruginosa (19 records), Planktolyngbya limnetica (17 records), Aphanizomenon klebahnii (16 records), Microcystis wesenbergii (16 records), Aphanocapsa delicatissima (13 records), Cuspidothrix issatschenkoi (12 records), Coelomoron pusillum (11 records), Pseudanabaena limnetica (11 records), Anagnostidinema amphibium (10 records), Raphidiopsis raciborskii (10 records), Limnococcus limneticus (10 records), and separate cells of Microcystis as well (15 records). The record of the chytrid parasite Rhizosiphon anabaenae on separate trichomes of Sphaerospermopsis aphanizomenoides is described

First data on the summer phytoplankton composition of 21 microreservoirs in Bulgaria and their floristic similarity

The present paper provides first detailed data on the phytoplankton species composition collected during two summer campaigns (2019 and 2021) from 21 Bulgarian microreservoirs (<100 ha). By conventional light microscopy (LM) 414 algae from seven phyla were identified, among which Chlorophyta were the taxonomically richest group (143 taxa). The recorded high algal biodiversity corresponded to the average species contribution of 36 taxa per site. It was associated with a significant variability between the phytoplankton composition in different microreservoirs: the total number of species ranged from 9 to 97. The dominant/co-dominant and sub-dominant phytoplankton composition comprised 46 algae from six phyla, most of which were cyanoprokaryotes (26 species, out of which 17 dominated in 12 microreservoirs and 11 sub-dominated in seven microreservoirs). The floristic similarity estimated through Sørensen’s Correlation Index (SCI) was quite low (0-43%) corresponding to the high number of species (256, or 61%) found in a single waterbody. We strongly believe that the obtained results will stimulate further investigations of such small waterbodies as unexplored genetic reservoirs of algae

Potential of Slime Molds as a Novel Source for the Cosmetics Industry

Nowadays, the flourishing development of modern cosmetics, and of “green cosmetics” especially, leads to rapid product innovation, with the increasing use of novel natural ingredients from unusual sources. A peculiar group of slime molds that have long been controversially classified as plants, fungi, or animals represents such an uncommon resource. In this regard, it is strange that these fascinating low-eukaryotic organisms are conspicuously absent from the current reviews of natural cosmetic sources and have no industrial cosmetics utilization. Chemical analyses have confirmed that the slime molds produce a plethora of novel or rare secondary metabolites of interest for cosmetics (127 substances), many of which exhibit biological activity. Interestingly, novel compounds were isolated from 72% of the 53 checked species. At the same time, the number of studied species, from a total of more than 900 currently recognized, is strikingly low (0.06). Such great unexplored biodiversity leaves a space wide open for new discoveries, presenting the slime molds as a reservoir of new biologically active substances that may provide valuable natural ingredients (pigments, lipids, aromatic substances, etc.) for application in modern cosmetics. Therefore, the current review aims to provoke a stronger interest in this neglected aspect, outlining the knowledge that has been obtained so far and indicating some challenges and perspectives for the future

Potential of Slime Molds as a Novel Source for the Cosmetics Industry

Nowadays, the flourishing development of modern cosmetics, and of &ldquo;green cosmetics&rdquo; especially, leads to rapid product innovation, with the increasing use of novel natural ingredients from unusual sources. A peculiar group of slime molds that have long been controversially classified as plants, fungi, or animals represents such an uncommon resource. In this regard, it is strange that these fascinating low-eukaryotic organisms are conspicuously absent from the current reviews of natural cosmetic sources and have no industrial cosmetics utilization. Chemical analyses have confirmed that the slime molds produce a plethora of novel or rare secondary metabolites of interest for cosmetics (127 substances), many of which exhibit biological activity. Interestingly, novel compounds were isolated from 72% of the 53 checked species. At the same time, the number of studied species, from a total of more than 900 currently recognized, is strikingly low (0.06). Such great unexplored biodiversity leaves a space wide open for new discoveries, presenting the slime molds as a reservoir of new biologically active substances that may provide valuable natural ingredients (pigments, lipids, aromatic substances, etc.) for application in modern cosmetics. Therefore, the current review aims to provoke a stronger interest in this neglected aspect, outlining the knowledge that has been obtained so far and indicating some challenges and perspectives for the future

Potential of Slime Molds as a Novel Source for the Cosmetics Industry

Nowadays, the flourishing development of modern cosmetics, and of “green cosmetics” especially, leads to rapid product innovation, with the increasing use of novel natural ingredients from unusual sources. A peculiar group of slime molds that have long been controversially classified as plants, fungi, or animals represents such an uncommon resource. In this regard, it is strange that these fascinating low-eukaryotic organisms are conspicuously absent from the current reviews of natural cosmetic sources and have no industrial cosmetics utilization. Chemical analyses have confirmed that the slime molds produce a plethora of novel or rare secondary metabolites of interest for cosmetics (127 substances), many of which exhibit biological activity. Interestingly, novel compounds were isolated from 72% of the 53 checked species. At the same time, the number of studied species, from a total of more than 900 currently recognized, is strikingly low (0.06). Such great unexplored biodiversity leaves a space wide open for new discoveries, presenting the slime molds as a reservoir of new biologically active substances that may provide valuable natural ingredients (pigments, lipids, aromatic substances, etc.) for application in modern cosmetics. Therefore, the current review aims to provoke a stronger interest in this neglected aspect, outlining the knowledge that has been obtained so far and indicating some challenges and perspectives for the future.</jats:p

Algal Biodiversity of Nine Megaliths in South-East Bulgaria

This paper presents the first data on the biodiversity of lithophytic algae from Bulgarian megaliths obtained after the application of the direct sampling method, subsequent cultivation, and processing by light microscopy. A rich algal flora was found: 90 species and 1 variety of 65 genera from Cyanoprokaryota/Cyanobacteria (29 species, 13 genera), Chlorophyta (40 species and 1 variety, 38 genera), Streptophyta (5 species, 1 genus), and Ochrophyta (16 species, 13 genera). Among them were the globally rare Pseudodictyochloris multinucleata (Chlorophyta), found for the first time in such lowland and warm habitats, and Scotiella tuberculata (Chlorophyta), for which this is the first finding in the country. Three of the recorded species are conservationally important. The low floristic similarity between the sites (0&ndash;33%) shows the diversity of the algal flora, with no common species found for all the megaliths studied. The most widespread were the strongly adaptive and competitive Stichococcus bacillaris, Apatococcus lobatus, and Chloroidium ellipsoidium (Chlorophyta). The correlations estimated between the species number and substrate temperature (18.1&ndash;49.6 &deg;C) suggest the prospect of future research related to the impact of global warming. In addition, the study points to the safety aspects as it revealed species from nine potentially toxin-producing cyanoprokaryotic genera that could be harmful to visitors&rsquo; health

Epilithic Algae from Seven Megaliths in the Vicinity of Topolovgrad (Haskovo District, Southeast Bulgaria)

The present work focuses on seven megaliths sampled for the first time as a continuation of our studies on the biodiversity of algae on megaliths in Bulgaria. A total of 55 species from four divisions were identified (Chlorophyta was the richest with 31 species), of which 14 species are new for Bulgaria. Two species were of conservation concern, but six were potential toxin producers that could affect the health of visitors to the megaliths. Despite the general granitic character and relatively close location of the studied sites, their floristic similarity was low, with most algae (51 species) being rarely distributed (except Stichococcus bacillaris and Mychonastes homosphaera). The largest cult complex Paleokastro, furthest from populated areas, had the highest species diversity (22 species), while the lowest (8 species) was found in the highly exposed Kalinkin Kamuk, located in a village. The NMDS analysis tool showed the existence of four distinct ecological groups and that temperature and light are the most important drivers for the distribution of the epilithic algae on the investigated megaliths. Correlations with temperatures estimated to identify potential indicators or future survivors under global warming conditions were low, except for the Streptophyta. It was represented by four species of the genus Klebsormidium, which is known for its high ecological tolerance and drought resistance. Extending the studies on lithophytic algae to megaliths is important for a better knowledge of their biodiversity and ecology, but also for the protection of megaliths and for understanding the impact of climate change on these fragile monuments