Influence of methylheptenone and related phytoplankton norcarotenoids on heterotrophic aquatic bacteria.

W Reichardt

Index: Can. J. Microbiol. 27(1) , 144-7, (1981)

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Abstract

Certain norcarotenoids, which have recently been found as excretion products of freshwater cyanobacteria and algae, are potent inhibitors of different metabolic functions in heterotrophic bacteria. 6-Methylhept-5-en-2-one showed the strongest effects and acted as a noncompetitive inhibitor of both glucose uptake and respiration by aquatic isolates of Chromobacterium lividum and Arthrobacter sp. Inhibition of the heterotrophic potential of glucose uptake by 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one was characterized by considerably lower inhibitor constants for bacterial cultures (Ki = 0.4 and 1.6 microM) than for a river water sample (Ki = 186.0 microM).