Effects of phytoplankton on the growth of bacteria under experimental conditions

Abstract

      The paper deals with the effects of phytoplankton species (Tetraselmis suecica, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Phaeodactylum tricornutum) on the growth of bacterial strains (Vibrio, Flavobacterium, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Aeromonas, Acinetobacter) in mixed cultures at varying ecolo­gical enviromental factors (temperature, salinity, light in­tensity, enrichment of media with yeast extract, glucose and vitamins B₁ and B₁₂).

      Bacterial growth was also observed in live and dead cultures and in the algal culture filtrate, as well as the effects of phytoplankton on bacterial growth in dependence of growth stage of the algal population.

      The algae T. suecica and D. tertiolecta inhibited the growth of all bacteria. The alga P. tricornutum stimulated the growth of bacterium Flavobacterium sp., did not affect Acinetobacter sp. and inhibited that of all other bacteria.