Complexation of iron by microbial siderophores and effects of iron chelates on the growth of marine microalgae causing red tides

The growth rates of 13 species of abundant red tide algae in media with different iron species complexed with microbial siderophores (Ferrichrome and Ferrioxamine) and Fe-Catechol were investigated. Our study demonstrated that the Fe-chelates (at molar ratios = 1:1) were bioavailable to some red tide species. In Fe-Catechol medium, growth was observed for the raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo, the dinoflagellates Heterocapsa circularisquama and Heterocapsa triquetra, the diatom Ditylum brightwellii, the cryptophyte Rhodomonas ovalis, the chlorophyte Oltmannsiellopsis viridis, and the haptophyte Cricosphaera roscoffensis. In Ferrioxamine medium, we found the growth of the dinoflagellate Karenia mikimotoi, the diatom Ditylum brightwellii, and the cryptophyte Rhodomonas ovalis. But, the existence of higher ligand concentrations (molar ratios >= 1:10) decreased the growth rates of most red tide species that were examined. Furthermore, all red tide species examined were not able to grow in Ferrichrome medium. In particular, the Chattonella species examined did not grow in the presence of Fe-chelates. These results suggest that bioavailability of iron depends not only on ligand species, but also on the concentration of the ligands; moreover, microbial siderophores may play an important role in controlling the uptake of iron complexed with organic materials that exist in coastal water and the formation of red tides in coastal areas.