Calcium-Boron Interaction in Exopolysaccharide Production by the Cyanobacterium, Nostoc spongiaeforme

The effect and interaction of Ca and B on exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesis in the diazotrophically growing cyanobacterium. Nostoc spongiaeforme, was investigated. The absence of B inhibited EPS synthesis 1.56-fold ($16\mu\textrm{g}$ glucose equivalent/mg dry weight, 16 d) over the control cells ($25\mu\textrm{g}$ glucose equivalent) grown in medium containing 0.5 mM Ca and $8{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ B. When B concentration was raised to $40{\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, EPS production was stimulated 1.8-fold. Reduction of Ca concentraion to one-half (0.25 mM) resulted in increased B demand (16$\muM$) by the cells for EPS production at par with the normal sets. However, without Ca, EPS production also increased as B increased. Addition of B to a Ca-free medium stimulated cyanobacterial diazotrophic growth as well as synthesis of Chl a and phycocyanin (0-8 d). The data suggest B-dependent diazotrophic growth during Ca-deficiency and point to and important interactive role of Ca and B in regulation of cyanobacterial EPS synthesis.