Accumulation of Reserve Products during Sporulation in Anabaena torulosa under Phototrophic, Photoheterotrophic and Heterotrophic Conditions

Abstract

Summary Anabaena torulosa exhibited enhanced growth and sporulation in presence of fructose and light. Cyanophycin granule polypeptide (CGP) accumulated in large amounts in sporulating cells in nitrate followed by nitrite. The glycogen content also increased significantly. Under photoheterotrophic conditions there is more CGP formation than of glycogen. Moreover, the content of CGP continuously increased in the two nitrogen sources while glycogen content showed a decrease, Slow growth is associated with enhanced CGP and glycogen contents under heterotrophic conditions. The two reserve products showed an increase in their relative amounts from the initiation of sporulation to free spore stage under phototrophic and photoheterotrophic conditions. In contrast the two reserves showed a decline in their content from initiation day to free spore stage under heterotrophic condition. Nitrate appears to be preferred under the three conditions.