Resilience of Xanthoria parietina under Mars-like conditions: photosynthesis and oxidative stress response

Xanthoria parietina survivability in Mars-like conditions was supported by water-lysis efficiency recovery and antioxidant content balancing with ROS production after 30 days of exposure. Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. is a widespread lichen showing tolerance against air pollutants and UV-radiation. It has been tested under space-like and Mars-like conditions resulting in high recovery performances. Hereby, we aim to assess the mechanisms at the basis of the thalli resilience against multiple space stress factors. Living thalli of X. parietina were exposed to simulated Martian atmospheric conditions (Dark Mars) and UV radiation (Full Mars). Then, we monitored as vitality indicator the photosynthetic efficiency, assessed by in vivo chlorophyll emission fluorescence measurements (F_M; F_V/F₀). The physiological defense was evaluated by analyzing the thalli antioxidant capacity. The drop of F_M and F_V/F₀ immediately after the exposure indicated a reduction of photosynthesis. After 24 h from exposure, photosynthetic efficiency began to recover suggesting the occurrence of protective mechanisms. Antioxidant concentrations were higher during the exposure, only decreasing after 30 days. The recovery of photosynthetic efficiency in both treatments suggested a strong resilience by the photosynthetic apparatus against combined space stress factors, likely due to the boosted antioxidants at the beginning and their depletion at the end of the exposure. The overall results indicated that the production of antioxidants, along with the occurrence of photoprotection mechanisms, guarantee X. parietina survivability in Mars-like environment.