INTRACELLULAR-LOCALIZATION OF THE TASTE ODOR METABOLITE 2-METHYLISOBORNEOL IN OSCILLATORIA-LIMOSA (CYANOPHYTA)

The monoterpene derivative, 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), is produced by many blue-green algae and often is responsible for the ''musty'' taste/odor in aquaculturally raised finfish and potable water supplies. Although previous researchers have suggested that taste/odor metabolites are partitioned among cell constituents and that co-regulation with pigment biosynthesis occurs, no structural evidence for these hypotheses exists. MIB was localized in cells of Oscillatoria limosa (Roth) Agardh at the ultrastructural level using standard gold-labeled antibody techniques. There was no apparent relationship between age of the cells and MIB synthesis; cells that were and were not undergoing active division had similar amounts Of MIB label. There was no consistent partitioning of MIB label within cells. However, occasionally, specific label was observed along photosynthetic lamellae, suggesting a potential linkage of MIB synthesis and/or binding to the pigment systems.