Identification of algicidal monoterpenoids from four chemotypes of Cinnamomum camphora and their algicidal mechanisms on Microcystis aeruginosa

Cyanobacterial blooms cause serious environmental issues, and plant secondary metabolites are considered as new algaecide for controlling them. Cinnamomum camphora produces a wide spectrum of terpenoids and has 4 main chemotypes, including linalool, camphor, eucalyptol and borneol chemotype. To develop the new cyanobacterial algaecide by using suitable chemotype of Cinnamomum camphora and the main terpenoids, we analyzed the terpenoid composition in the 4 chemotype extracts, evaluated the algicidal effects of the extracts and their typical monoterpenoids on Microcystis aeruginosa, and investigated the algicidal mechanism of the stronger algicidal agents. Among the 4 chemotypes, eucalyptol and borneol chemotype extracts exhibited stronger algicidal effects. In the 4 chemotype extracts, monoterpenoids were the main compounds, of which linalool, camphor, eucalyptol and borneol were the typical components. Among the 4 typical monoterpenoids, eucalyptol and borneol showed stronger algicidal effects, which killed 78.8% and 100% M. aeruginosa cells, respectively, at 1.2 mM after 48 h. In 1.2 mM eucalyptol and borneol treatments, the reactive oxygen species levels markedly increased, and the caspase-3-like activity also raised. With prolonging the treatment time, M. aeruginosa cells gradually shrank and wrinkled, and the cell TUNEL fluorescence intensity and DNA degradation gradually enhanced, indicating that the lethal mechanism is causing apoptosis-like programmed cell death (PCD). Therefore, eucalyptol and borneol chemotype extracts and their typical monoterpenoids have the potential for developing as algaecides to control cyanobacteria through triggering apoptosis-like PCD.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the terpenoid composition in different chemotypes of Cinnamomum camphora and evaluated their effects on the cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa. Eucalyptol and borneol chemotypes showed stronger algaecidal effects, with eucalyptol and borneol being the main components. The mechanism of action involved the increase of reactive oxygen species levels and caspase-3-like activity, leading to apoptosis-like programmed cell death. These findings suggest that eucalyptol and borneol chemotype extracts and their typical monoterpenoids have potential as algaecides for controlling cyanobacteria.