Abstract
A centrifugation method using a sucrose density gradient was establishedto distinguish buoyant cyanobacterial cells based on their cell density. Themarine strain Nostoc NKBG 500017 was selected, because itshowed the lowest density among 71 strains examined from our culture collectionand also exhibited stable buoyancy. The cell suspension was homogeneous in a100mL graduated cylinder in the dark for at least 12 h.Stability was also confirmed using an artificial water column consisting ofpolyethylene pipe 2 m in height and 11 cm in diameterwith a halogen light source at the top. Cells were suspended well throughoutthewater column and no precipitation was observed at the bottom of the columnafter24 h incubation. Most cells were retained in the upper part of thewater column from 10 cm to 30 cm depth. Growth wasinhibited by the addition of tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disruptor. Theautofluorescence intensity of the cells decreased with increasing TBTconcentration. The stable buoyancy and TBT sensitivity ofNostoc NKBG 500017 indicate that the strain is a possiblecandidate for monitoring contamination by toxic chemicals in the marineenvironment.
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Matsumoto, M., Miyashita, H., Takeyama, H. et al. Screening of buoyant marine cyanobacteria using sucrose gradient centrifugation. Journal of Applied Phycology 14, 91–95 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019581324166
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1019581324166