Development of a novel artificial medium based on utilization of algal photosynthetic metabolites by symbiotic heterotrophs

Aims: (i) Quantitative and qualitative analyses of photosynthetic metabolites of Chlorella sorokiniana and elucidation of the mechanism of their utilization by algal symbionts. (ii) Development of artificial medium that imitates photoautotroph–heterotroph interaction and investigation of its suitability for isolation of novel microbes from the environment. Methods and Results: Various components, including free dissolved carbohydrates, nitrogenous compounds and vitamin, were detected and together contributed 11·1% (as carbon content) of the total photosynthetic metabolites in the medium. Utilization of these photosynthetic metabolites in algal culture broth by algal symbionts was studied. Many symbionts showed specific utilization patterns. A novel artificial extracellular released organic carbon medium, which imitated the nutritional conditions surrounding algae, was developed based on the pattern of utilization of the algal metabolites by the symbiotic heterotrophs. About 42·9% of the isolates were closely related to photoautotrophic‐dependent and oligotrophic bacteria. Conclusions: With the novel artificial medium, it was possible to selectively isolate some bacterial strains. Significant and Impact of the Study: Synthetic bacterial growth medium is an important and basic tool for bacterial isolation from environmental samples. The current study shows that preferential separation of typical bacterial subset can be achieved by using artificial medium that mimics photosynthetic metabolites.