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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Preparation of DMMTAV and DMDTAV Using DMAV for Environmental Applications: Synthesis, Purification, and Confirmation

Preparation of DMMTA^V and DMDTA^V Using DMA^V for Environmental Applications: Synthesis, Purification, and Confirmation

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An antioxidant function for DMSP and DMS in marine algae.

W Sunda¹, D J Kieber, R P Kiene

¹Beaufort Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Beaufort, North Carolina 28516, USA. bill.sunda@noaa.gov

|July 19, 2002

Summary

Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and its breakdown product, dimethylsulphide (DMS), act as antioxidants in algae. Environmental stressors increase DMSP and DMS, potentially influencing climate through ocean-atmosphere feedback loops.

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Area of Science:

Marine biology
Biogeochemistry
Chemical oceanography

Background:

Dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP) and dimethylsulphide (DMS) are key compounds in the global sulfur cycle.
The precise physiological roles of DMSP and DMS in algae remain largely undetermined.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the physiological functions of DMSP and its breakdown products.
To explore the potential antioxidant role of DMSP and its derivatives in marine algae.
To understand how environmental stressors influence DMSP and DMS dynamics in phytoplankton.

Main Methods:

Analysis of DMSP and its breakdown products under various stress conditions.
Measurement of reactive oxygen species scavenging capabilities.
Culturing of marine algae under controlled laboratory conditions.

Main Results:

DMSP and its breakdown products (DMS, acrylate, dimethylsulphoxide, methane sulphinic acid) demonstrate significant scavenging of hydroxyl radicals and reactive oxygen species.
Oxidative stressors, including solar UV radiation, CO2 limitation, Fe limitation, high Cu2+, and H2O2, were found to increase cellular DMSP and/or its lysis to DMS in marine algal cultures.
A direct correlation was observed between these stressors and the dynamics of DMSP and DMS in marine phytoplankton.

Conclusions:

DMSP and its breakdown products likely function as an antioxidant system in algae, partly regulated by enzymatic DMSP cleavage.
Environmental stressors directly impact DMSP and DMS levels in phytoplankton, influencing DMS production and atmospheric release.
These findings suggest that oxidative stressors may mediate ocean-atmosphere feedback loops affecting global climate and hydrological cycles.