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Large-scale determination of cyanobacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and inorganic ions

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Summary

Susceptibility of 3 cyanobacterial strains to 19 inorganic compounds and 17 antibiotics was tested by using the dilution technique in microtiter plates and agar diffusion technique, respectively. Generally, the toxicity of inorganic salts to cyanobacteria could be classified as high (Hg, Ag, Cu, Co, Cd, Ni), intermediate (U, Pb, Al, Te, As (III), Mn) and low (As(V), Mo). Other salts (Zn, Cr, Ge, Sb, B) showed strain to strain differences in toxicity patterns. Except streptomycin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, amikacin, furazolidone (inhibition of all strains) and sulphanilamide (no inhibition) all other antibiotics showed differences of inhibition patterns. A spontaneous increase of resistance to As(V) and cross resistances to antibiotics and inorganic ions were indicated culturing strains in media with low levels of arsenate or mercuric ions. Antibiotic-resistant clones were isolated from inhibition zones. In conclusion, the results obtained with both methods are a good basis for further more detailed studies.

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Lorenz, M.G., Krumbein, W.E. Large-scale determination of cyanobacterial susceptibility to antibiotics and inorganic ions. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 20, 422–426 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261947

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261947

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