An insight into algicidal characteristics of Bacillus altitudinis G3 from dysfunctional photosystem and overproduction of reactive oxygen species

Abstract

Cyanobacterial blooms negatively affect aquatic ecosystems and human health. Algicidal bacteria can efficiently kill bloom-causing cyanobacteria. Bacillus altitudinis G3 isolated from Dianchi Lake shows high algicidal activity against Microcystis aeruginosa. In this study, we investigated its algicidal characteristics including attack mode, photosynthesis responses, and source and the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The results showed that G3 efficiently and specifically killed M. aeruginosa mainly by releasing both thermolabile and thermostable algicidal substances, which exhibited the highest algicidal activity (99.8%, 72 h) in bacterial mid-logarithmic growth phase. The algicidal ratio under full-light conditions (99.5%, 60 h) was significantly higher than under dark conditions (<20%, P < 0.001). G3 filtrate caused photosystem dysfunction by decreasing photosynthetic efficiency, as indicated by significantly decreased Fv/Fm and PIABS (P < 0.001) values. It also inhibited photosynthetic electron transfer as indicated by significantly decreased rETR (P < 0.001), especially QA− downstream, as revealed by significantly decreased φEo and ψo, and increased Mo (P < 0.001). These results indicated that the algicidal activity of G3 filtrate is light-dependent, and the cyanobacterial photosystem is an important target. Cyanobacterial ROS and malondialdehyde contents greatly increased by 37.1% and 208% at 36 h, respectively. ROS levels decreased by 49.2% (9 h) when diuron (3-(3-4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea) partially blocked photosynthetic electron transport from QA to QB. Therefore, excessive ROS were produced from disrupted photosynthesis, especially the inhibited electron transport area in QA− downstream, and caused severe lipid peroxidation with significantly increased MDA content and oxidative stress in cyanobacteria. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine significantly decreased both cyanobacterial ROS levels (34%) and algicidal ratio (52%, P < 0.05) at 39 h. Thus, excessive ROS production due to G3 filtrate administration significantly contributed to its algicidal effect. G3 could be an excellent algicide to control M. aeruginosa blooms in waters under suitable light conditions.