Growth of the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis CCAP1405/1 on Agar Media in the Presence of Heterotrophic Bacteria

The cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis CCAP1405/1 does not grow on common solid media made of agar, agarose HT, noble agar, gelrite and gelatin, although it grows in liquid media with the same components. The inoculation of S. leopoliensis CCAP1405/1 at a high initial cell density allowed it to grow on the agar media, and co-inoculation with one of the heterotrophic bacterial strains belonging to a wide range of phylogeny, showed the same effects even at a low initial cell density of S. leopoliensis CCAP1405/1. The addition of thiosulfate and high concentrations of vitamin B12, biotin and thiamine also supported growth on solid media, but catalase had no effect. On inorganic solid media, the autotrophic cyanobacterial strain supported the growth of heterotrophic bacteria, suggesting mutual interaction.