Aerobactin production by a planktonic marine Vibrio sp

Abstract

Production of siderophores by marine bacteria could potentially contribute to metal complexation by organic compounds in seawater. Direct isolation of planktonic marine bacteria on siderophore indicator plates showed that siderophore producers are present. The siderophore‐producing organisms that could be detected on this medium were more numerous in the mixed layer than in deeper water at this sampling site. One strain (DS40M5) was characterized and found to be a marine Vibrio sp. A siderophore produced by Vibrio sp. DS40M5 is aerobactin, a compound not previously known from planktonic marine bacteria.