What is it about?
Variations of the Lyngbya notarisii (Menegh.) Wille, a cyanobacteria has been studied in culture to sort out nomenclature issue. The study revealed that Porphyrosiphon notarisii Kutz. is a synonym. The cyanobacteria produce "scytonemin" pigment to protect cells from UV radiation. The natural product may be used in making 'sunscreen' cream for human.
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Why is it important?
Cyanobacteria has been designated as a botanical enigma. I have shown that the Lyngbya notanisii exhibits characters of at least thre other genera- Oscillatoria, Porphyrosiphon and Plectonema. The first one is hormogonia (reproductive) phase while the later two are growth forms of Lyngbya. Therefore Porphyrosiphon and Plectonema are not valid genera. The "scytonemin" is a natural product. UV radiation causes skin damage and even cancer. Therefore, "scytonemin" can protect you from skin damage and cancer.
Perspectives
Cyanobacterial systematics through careful study in culture may solve the issue of Botanical enigma. Cyanobacteria an ancient group of organisms may provide products against cancer.
Prof. Abdul Aziz
Dhaka University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Polymorphism in Lyngbya notarisii (Meneghini) Wille in culture, Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, June 2015, Bangladesh Journals Online (BanglaJOL),
DOI: 10.3329/bjpt.v22i1.23869.
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