The effects of barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) on the growth of freshwater algae

Bioassays were conducted to determine the efficacy of barley straw liquor in controlling algal growth of 12 freshwater species of algae representing three divisions. Barley straw liquor inhibited the growth of three nuisance algae common in freshwater: Synura petersenii, Dinobyron sp., and Microcystis aeruginosa. However, Selenastrum capricornutum, Spirogyra sp., Oscillatoria lutea var. contorta, and Navicula sp. had significantly increased growth in the presence of straw liquor. The growth of the remainder, Ulothrix fimbriata, Scenedesmus quadricauda, Chlorella vulgaris, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Synedra sp. showed no significant difference from controls. In a related field study, we treated four of six ponds with barley straw and monitored their chlorophyll a levels for one growing season. While phytoplankton populations in all ponds decreased in midsummer, the phytoplankton biomass in treated ponds did not differ significantly from that of control ponds, suggesting that the application of barley straw had no effect on algal growth in these systems.     

Chemical characterization of the aqueous algistatic fraction of barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) inhibiting Microcystis aeruginosa

The algistatic properties of aqueous barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) extracts have been observed in laboratory studies and in situ. This reported algistatic property has been used by farmers and horticulturists to control algal blooms in various systems and has become standard practice in some areas. However, both inhibition and stimulation of algal growth in freshwater and marine species have been demonstrated. While the number of taxa known to be inhibited by barley straw has increased, comparatively little has been done to isolate and classify the compound(s) responsible for this algistatic effect. A microplate assay system using Microcystis aeruginosa was developed to isolate and identify the inhibitory components of barley straw extract. M. aeruginosa was selected for the bioassay because it is consistently inhibited by barley straw extract in studies conducted by our laboratory and others. The 24-well plate assay utilizes in vivo fluorescence monitoring with a TECAN GENios plate reader to determine chlorophyll-a levels in each culture. Fractionation and partial chemical characterization of inhibitory extracts suggests that the inhibitors are polyphenolics with molecular weights (MW) between 1,000 and 3,000 Da. Percolation of the aqueous extract through a Polyamide CC6 resin or through various MW cutoff filters resulted in the loss of algistatic activity, which confirms this assertion, while hydrolysis resulted in little change in the activity profile. Fractionation by HPLC methods yielded a highly potent multi-compound fraction, showing toxicity at 353 mg L⁻¹ and algistatic activity between 11.1 and 3.53 mg L⁻¹.     

Growth inhibition of bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa by rice straw extract

AIMS: To inhibit the growth of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa using a rice straw extract. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cell numbers of the algal strain M. aeruginosa UTEX 2388 significantly decreased after treatment with different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mg l(-1)) of a rice straw extract for an 8-day cultivation period. Among seven tested allelochemicals from rice straw, salicylic acid at 0.1 mg l(1) exhibited the highest allelopathic activity (26%) on day 8. A synergistic effect on algal growth inhibition was found when adding two or three phenolic compounds from the rice straw. CONCLUSIONS: The growth of M. aeruginosa was inhibited by rice straw extract concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10 mg l(1). This activity was due to the synergistic effects of various phenolic compounds in the rice straw. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The identification of rice straw as an effective material for the growth inhibition of M. aeruginosa implies it may have the potential to be used as an environment-friendly biomaterial for controlling the algal bloom of M. aeruginosa in eutrophic water.     

The relative sensitivity of algae to decomposing barley straw

Decomposing barley straw has previously been shown to inhibit the growth of a limited number of algae under both laboratory and field conditions. Bioassays were conducted on a range of algae to evaluate their relative sensitivities to straw-derived inhibitor(s). A range of sensitivities was found, including some species that were resistant to the straw-derived inhibitor(s). A microcystin-producing strain of Microcystis aeruginosa was very susceptible to decomposing barley straw. Bioassays using Euglena gracilis suggest that the inhibitory compounds are not derived from the phototransformation of straw decomposition products and do not act primarily by inhibiting photosynthesis. Susceptibility to barley straw appears not to be related to general taxonomic or structural features. Possible implications for algal populations in natural freshwaters are briefly discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Algicidal Characteristics of One Algae-Lysing FDT5 Bacterium on Microcystis aeruginosa

One strain of algicidal bacterium which can inhibit Harmful algal blooms (HABs), FDT5, was isolated from activated sludge and found to have good algicidal effects on Microcystis aeruginosa. It was revealed that: The FDT5 was a Gram-negative bacterium and identified as Ochrobactrum sp.; The greater the initial bacterial cell density, the faster the degradation of chlorophyll a.; The algicidal efficiency was evaluated at the most favorable conditions which were a temperature of 30–35°C, a pH of 7.6 and complete darkness; The FDT5 strain lysed Microcystis aeruginosa not directly but by secreting metabolites which could withstand high temperatures and pressure.     

绿藻栅藻对微囊藻的抑制效应及评价

为筛选具有控制微囊藻水华潜力的绿藻, 研究基于藻类之间的化感作用, 对34株绿藻开展筛选及评价工作。结果发现, 栅藻FACHB-1229的抑制率最高, 其滤液对微囊藻FACHB-3550和FACHB-905的抑制率分别为53.95%和48.39%; 通过对滤液中的物质进行GC-MS检测, 推测该藻株的效应物质可能为邻苯二甲酸二(2-甲氧基乙基)酯。进一步对FACHB-1229生长和光合放氧、氨氮耐受等指标进行评价, 结果发现: 该藻株在孔板中的生长速率(0.38±0.06)/d高于微囊藻生长速率(0.13±0.03)/d; 栅藻FACHB-1229的光合放氧速率高于同期测定的其他绿藻光合放氧速率, 可达(229.91±10.49) μmol O₂/(mg Chl.a·h); 同时该藻株对氨氮的耐受能力最强, 在氨氮浓度为1888.60 mg/L时其生长速率可达(0.30±0.08)/d。此外, 在与微囊藻FACHB-3550进行共培养时, 栅藻FACHB-1229所占比例持续升高。综上, 栅藻FACHB-1229具备与微囊藻竞争的优势, 有望成为微囊藻水华生物控制的优选材料。     

棕鞭藻及其培养滤液对铜绿微囊藻生长及生理特性的影响

为探究藻类之间的可能存在的信息传递, 研究了棕鞭藻(Ochromonas sp.)及其培养滤液对铜绿微囊藻的生长及生理特性的影响。结果发现, 3种不同接种比例(1﹕4、1﹕1和4﹕1)的棕鞭藻与微囊藻共培养下, 微囊藻细胞密度到第4天均下降到最低值, 而棕囊藻细胞密度则显著增加。同时, 棕鞭藻培养滤液能够抑制微囊藻的生长、导致丙二醛(MDA)含量和过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性。此外, 棕鞭藻培养滤液也能促进微囊藻胞外多糖(EPS)含量显著增加。这表明棕鞭藻不仅能吞噬微囊藻, 而且可能释放某些化感物质抑制微囊藻生长及生理参数。这暗示了棕鞭藻可作为潜在的藻类水华控制生物, 抑制早期藻类大量增殖。     

蓝藻水华水样总氮含量的测定

为评估蓝藻水华藻密度对水样中总氮含量测定的影响,采用实验室培养纯藻和天然微囊藻水华样品,利用碱性过硫酸钾消解紫外分光光度法,测定了不同藻密度水样TN的含量并进行了比较分析。研究发现,如果藻密度较高的水样稀释不充分, TN值会被严重低估。对太湖水华水样分析结果表明,叶绿素a与TN的相应值平均为0.156 mg N/μg Chl. a,干藻样的氮含量平均为16%。这些数据有助于估算蓝藻水华对水体TN的贡献。     

The control of diatom and cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs using barley straw

A potable supply reservoir, with a long history of diatom blooms in spring and cyanobacterial blooms in summer, was treated with barley straw in March 1993 with subsequent additions in December 1993 and June 1994. Within two months of the initial treatment, algal numbers started to fall compared with previous years and have remained consistently lower throughout 1993 and 1994. Cyanobacteria have not bloomed and cell numbers remained low. Chemical analysis of the water showed locally elevated concentrations of geosmin close to the straw on one occasion but the overall concentration of this and a range of other organic molecules remained within acceptable limits and at concentrations similar to those found in other untreated reservoirs in the region. Observed and potential advantages to public health and potable supply management resulting from the use of barley straw are discussed.     

生长素吲哚乙酸对铜绿微囊藻生理生化及产毒特性的影响

为了探究生长素吲哚乙酸(IAA)对产毒铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的影响, 从生长、光合色素含量、叶绿素光诱导荧光特征、脂质氧化和微囊藻毒素合成特性等方面, 研究了IAA对M. aeruginosa CHAB6301生理生化及产毒的影响。结果表明, 在低浓度IAA(0.04和0.2 mg/L)条件下, 铜绿微囊藻生长、叶绿素含量、光合系统(PSⅡ)电子传递效率及藻毒素含量均无明显变化, 藻蓝蛋白、别藻蓝蛋白和丙二醛(MDA)含量均低于对照。高浓度IAA(1和5 mg/L)能够促进细胞生长, 提高叶绿素含量, 但是抑制藻蓝蛋白和别藻蓝蛋白含量, 降低膜脂过氧化程度和细胞内藻毒素合成。综合各指标测定结果, 低浓度IAA对M. aeruginosa CHAB6301生长和光合作用影响不明显, 而高浓度IAA可促进藻细胞生长和光合作用, 增加微囊藻水华形成几率。     

小型生活污水受纳水体浮游植物增长的氮、磷限制研究

为研究生活污水处理后其受纳水体中浮游植物增长的氮磷限制,选取某生活污水处理系统的受纳水体为研究对象,依据我国《城镇污水处理厂污染物排放标准》(GB189182002)一级A标准(氨氮5 mg/L和磷0.5 mg/L)进行氮磷营养盐最高浓度和浓度梯度添加微宇宙实验模拟实验。最高浓度添加实验结果显示N、P双添加的实验组中3d后叶绿素a的浓度显著(P0.05)高于单独添加氮和单独添加磷实验组。因此,氮和磷是被研究水体浮游植物生长的共同限制因子。同时结果还暗示受纳水体接纳处理后的生活污水仍可能会造成浮游植物在短期内剧烈增长。浓度梯度添加实验结果显示,将磷控制在0.27 mg/L或者将氮控制在1.0 mg/L以下,可以有效降低被研究水体浮游植物的增长。据此可以进一步严格生活污水处理后的排放标准以降低受纳水体水华的风险。     

东湖蓝藻水华毒性的研究 Ⅱ.季节变化及微囊藻的毒性

1984年至1986年间武汉东湖(包括湖边池塘)的水华有7种,即铜绿微囊藻、大型铜绿微囊藻、边缘微囊藻、水华鱼腥藻、卷曲鱼腥藻、美丽颤藻和束丝藻。经生物测定,除束丝藻未测、卷曲鱼腥藻和美丽颤藻未测出毒性外,其余4种皆为有毒水华。东湖的水华随着季节变化而有不同类型的更迭,其出现格局为:卷曲鱼腥藻、微囊藻、颤藻、微囊藻。微囊藻水华的毒性在不同季节也有较大差异,毒性最低在8—9月份,最高在12月份(LD_(50)=24mg/kg鼠重),随着温度的降低而提高。讨论了某些环境参数与微囊藻水华形成及其毒性变化的关系。此外,还用脑内注射和腹腔注射方法,研究了微囊藻毒素的毒性表现。     

Temperature and biotic factors influence bacterial communities associated with the cyanobacterium Microcystis sp

Cyanobacterial blooms represent a nutritious niche for associated bacteria including potential pathogens for humans as well as livestock. We investigated bacterial community composition associated with Microcystis sp. using different approaches: batch experiments on Microcystis sp. or its enriched exudates, field enclosures (dialysis bags) and field sampling during natural blooms in freshwaters. Bacterial community composition associated with Microcystis sp. differed significantly with temperature, bacterial source community and number of incubated cyanobacterial strains. Interestingly, Actinobacteria of the AcI cluster were only present in the 20°C treatments and disappeared at higher incubation temperatures. Moreover, Archaea were present in all field samples but did not show any regional patterns, which is consistent with bacteria. Absence of Archaea in the experimental treatments indicates reduced growth under experimental conditions. In contrast, members of the genus Sphingomonas (Alphaproteobacteria), which includes species known as human pathogens, occurred in almost all samples. Thus Sphingomonadales seem to be an integral element of Microcystis sp. blooms - even affecting concentrations of microcystins as a result of their breakdown of the toxins. Depending on environmental conditions such as temperature, light, currents and nutrients, the role of heterotrophic Bacteria associated with Cyanobacteria can greatly vary by either increasing (pathogens) or decreasing (breakdown of toxins) health risks caused by mass developments of potentially toxic Cyanobacteria.     

鲢对藻类摄食效应的室内模拟研究

为研究鲢(Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)对藻类的摄食作用, 采用小环藻(Cyclotella)、小球藻(Chlorella)、微囊藻(Microcystis)和东湖原水开展了小规格鱼种的养殖试验, 对鲢摄食和排泄物进行了研究。结果显示: 在3 种纯培养藻种投喂下鲢存活率从高到低依次是小环藻组 小球藻组 微囊藻组;相应地, 鲢对藻的平均摄食率排序也是小环藻组 小球藻组 微囊藻组。在显微镜下观察粪便发现大部分小环藻为空壳, 一部分小球藻外部形态结构不完整, 外部形态完整的小球藻则色泽暗淡、内部结构紊乱, 微囊藻没有明显变化;3 种藻类细胞的受损率分别为20.04%、7.13%和1.97%。叶绿素荧光活性显示, 粪便中小环藻基本失去光合活性, 小球藻活性极显著降低(P0.01), 微囊藻活性明显降低(P0.05), 东湖原水处理组光合活性较对照极显著降低(P0.01)。对东湖水饲喂试验组排泄物的检测发现, 浮鞘丝藻Planktolyngya、鱼腥藻Anabeana(有破损)、假鱼腥藻Pseudoanabaena 和颤藻Oscillatoria 细胞受损严重;空星藻Coelastrum 和盘星藻Pediastrum 细胞部分破损;针杆藻Synedra、小环藻、桥弯藻Cymbella 和舟形藻Navicula 多为空壳。鱼粪中平裂藻Merismopedia、微囊藻、浮鞘丝藻、鱼腥藻、颤藻、卵囊藻Oocystis、栅藻Scenedesmus 和衣藻Chlamydomonas 在重新培养后恢复了生长。本研究显示硅藻尤其是小环藻、针杆藻和舟形藻对鲢摄食最敏感;栅藻、卵囊藻和平裂藻对摄食压力不敏感。研究表明鲢捕食对藻类群落结构有明显的改变效应, 利用鲢的滤食进行藻类群落调节和水华防控具有可行性。       

溶藻细菌FS1的溶藻效果与机制初探

近年来,由水体富营养化引发的蓝藻水华频繁暴发,对水体生态系统平衡产生了重大影响,给人类健康也带来严重威胁。生物法除藻具有高效性、环境友好等优点,因此,如果能获得具有较高溶藻效率的溶藻细菌,选择生物法除藻更为理想。从菏泽一富营养化池塘分离得到1株溶藻细菌FS1,经16S rDNA测序分析鉴定为芽胞杆菌属。实验以铜绿微囊藻为研究对象,采用血球计数板法计算反应前后藻细胞的浓度,对不同生长阶段溶藻细菌FS1的溶藻效果进行了探究。停滞期、对数期、稳定期和衰亡期的除藻率分别为7.1%、24.3%、57.0%和45.5%,结果表明,处于稳定期的FS1对铜绿微囊藻的去除效果最佳。细菌溶藻方式的研究结果表明,溶藻细菌是通过分泌溶藻物质间接溶解藻细胞。     

Inhibition of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze on Microcystis aeruginosa and isolation of the inhibition factors

Low concentration of tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) was shown to inhibit the growth of the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The inhibition efficiency was 40 % at 0.1 g dry tea/L and 90 % at 0.2 g/L after a 12-day culture. All varieties of tea used in the test could inhibit Microcystis growth, in which the inhibitory effect of green tea was greater than that of black tea. Antialgal allelochemicals were isolated from tea by solvent extraction, gel-chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Two algal-inhibition compounds were identified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry as epigallocatechin-3-gallate, epicatechin-3-gallate respectively. These are the main polyphenols in tea that have inhibitory effects on the growth of cyanobacteria. The combined effect of these polyphenols makes tea a promising source of algicide to inhibit the growth of algal blooms.     

Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth III: the role of fungal decomposition

Rotting barley straw, which is known to inhibit algal growth, has been subjected to mycological examination. A wide range of fungi was isolated from submerged, aerated decomposing straw and tested for antialgal effects againstChlorella on agar plates. Three species, each the dominant isolate from different batches of straw, inhibited the alga. However, the general antialgal effects of decomposing straw are unlikely to be explained by antialgal properties of specific fungi.author for correspondence     

Roles of dilution rate and nitrogen concentration in competition between the cyanobacterium <Emphasis Type="Italic">Microcystis aeruginosa</Emphasis> and the diatom <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cyclotella</Emphasis> sp. in eutrophic lakes

In Lake Tega, Japan, the shift of dominant algal species was caused as a result of discharging water from the adjacent river into the lake. The transition from cyanobacteria (mainly the genus Microcystis) to diatoms (mainly the genus Cyclotella) resulted in a disappearance of algal blooms. Although some environmental conditions such as flow rate, nutrient concentration, and transparency were changed by the project, the decisive factor for the transition has not been clarified yet. For the effective control of algal blooms by water discharge, this study aimed to elucidate the effects of daily renewal rate and nitrogen concentration on the interspecific competition between Microcystis aeruginosa and Cyclotella sp. Monoculture experiments were conducted to obtain growth characteristics for each species and mixed culture experiments were performed to examine their competitive abilities under various daily renewal rates of the culture medium (15 and 30 %) and nitrate concentrations (71.4, 178, and 357 μM). In addition to prepared medium, Lake Tega water was also used for mixed culture experiments. The results showed that the increase in a daily renewal rate contributed to the dominance of Cyclotella sp., while a nitrate concentration had little influence on the competition. We conclude that algal blooms composed of the genus Microcystis would be controlled by maintaining a daily renewal rate up to 30 % or more, which corresponded to the dilution rate of 0.36 day^?1, under a nitrate concentration of ≤357 μM. The study would include essential information for the management of lakes suffering from frequent occurrences of algal blooms.     

微囊藻与水体细菌相互关系的研究进展

近年来, 微生物群落在水生态系统中的结构和功能受到了越来越多的关注。在富营养化水体中细菌在微囊藻水华的发生、发展及衰亡、降解过程中发挥着重要的作用。文章总结了水体中微囊藻与细菌独有的群落结构特征,以及微囊藻与细菌群落对环境因素变化的响应等方面的研究成果。在微囊藻与细菌的相互作用方面, 从藻细胞微环境中附着细菌对微囊藻生长的促进或抑制作用, 细菌在微囊藻群体的形成和维持过程的作用, 细菌参与的微囊藻水华的聚集和降解过程, 细菌对微囊藻毒素的降解作用等方面进行了综述。文章还对未来微囊藻与细菌相互关系的研究热点以及可利用的组学技术等进行了展望。     

Growth of nutrient-replete Microcystis PCC 7806 cultures is inhibited by an extracellular signal produced by chlorotic cultures

The frequency of cyanobacterial blooms has been increasing all over the world. These blooms are often toxic and have become a serious health problem. The aim of this work was to search for population density control mechanisms that could inhibit the proliferation of the toxic bloom-forming genus Microcystis. Microcystis PCC 7806 cultured for long periods in liquid ASM-1 medium loses its characteristic green colour. When a medium of chlorotic cultures is added to a nutrient-replete culture, cell density increase is drastically reduced when compared with controls. Inhibition of cell proliferation occurs in Microcystis cultures from any growth stage and was not strain-specific, but other genera tested showed no response. Investigations on the mechanism of growth inhibition showed that cultures treated with the conditioned medium acquired a pale colour, with pigment concentration similar to that found in chlorotic cultures. Ultrastructural examination showed that the conditioned medium induced thylakoid membrane disorganization, typical of chlorotic cells, in nutrient-replete cultures. An active extract was obtained and investigations showed that activity was retained after heating and after addition of an apolar solvent. This indicates that activity of the conditioned medium from chlorotic cells results from non-protein, apolar compound(s).