Bacterial-barnacle interaction: Potential of using juncellins and antibiotics to alter structure of bacterial communities

Abstract

In preparation for studies using natural products to probe interactions between bacterial consortia and settlement stage barnacles, we isolated 16 strains of bacteria associated with barnacles and examined: (1) effects of films of bacterial isolates on barnacle settlement, and (2) bacteriostatic effects of juncellins and standard antibiotics. Bacteria were isolated from the biofilm associated with Balanus amphitrite. On the basis of morphological and biochemical characteristics, bacteria were classified into five major groups:Aeromonas, Alcaligenes, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Vibrio. Barnacle settlement was inhibited by all Vibrio films and 64% of the other isolates. No film stimulated barnacle settlement. Juncellins were approximately as potent as standard antibiotics for all bacterial species tested. Vibrio spp. were most resistant to juncellins. © 1993 Plenum Publishing Corporation.