Effects of two chitin synthesis inhibitors on Thalassiosira fluviatilis and Cyclotella cryptica

The effects of two commercial chitin synthesis inhibitors, dimilin and polyoxin D, on chitin fiber formation and cell sedimentation for the diatoms Thalassiosira fluviatilis and Cyclotella cryptica (Bacillariophyceae) were investigated. Dimilin treatments for both diatom species were indistinguishable from controls in terms of chitin fiber productions, cell density and sedimentation. Polyoxin D‐treated cells of both diatom species completely lacked the characteristic chitin fibers. Polyoxin D cultures were also characterized by a significant decrease in population density, increased sedimentation rates and a strong tendency to clump in comparison with control and dimilin treatments. It was concluded that (1) dimilin does not directly inhibit chitin synthesis in diatoms; (2) polyoxin‐D inhibits β‐chitin fibril formation, and (3) chitin fibers play an important role in cell separation and cell buoyancy.