Changes in biological production of the cyanobacterium, Nostoc sp. strain MAC, under subinhibitory concentrations of tannic acid and related compounds

The effects of gallic acid, methyl gallate, propyl gallate and tannic acid on cell growth, protein synthesis, photosynthesis, membrane function and metabolic activity of Nostoc sp. strain MAC were quantitatively investigated. Treatment of MAC with 1/2 inhibitory concentrations of tannic acid and related compounds resulted in a severe decline in biological production. Chlorophyll a and c-phycocyanin syntheses were inhibited by over 90%. Glutamine synthetase and nitrate reductase activities were suppressed by at least 45% and 56%, respectively. The percentage inhibition of total cell yield was around 40%, whereas that of total protein was around 80%. In addition, cellular potassium loss was 2–5 times that of control cultures and was accompanied by a loss in phosphate of about 1.2 times that of control cultures. However, gallic acid did not inhibit c-phycocyanin synthesis, nor did tannic acid or propyl gallate inhibit the activity of glutamine synthetase. Methyl gallate had no effect on electrolyte efflux. The control of biomass accumulation in relation to the production of off-flavor compounds in cyanobacteria by natural tannin compounds may have important aquacultural implications. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.