Algal cell lysis by bacteria: A review and comparison to conventional methods

The lysis or disruption of eukaryotic, unicellular algae by bacteria and other conventional methods is important for both algal bloom control and biofuel production. This study was aimed to synthesize and analyze the current knowledge and research about algal cell lysis, with a special emphasis on bacteria-algae interactions. A brief review of algal lysis by conventional methods including mechanical and non-mechanical methods was first introduced, then the current knowledge about the isolation and classification of algicidal bacteria, the possible algicidal mechanisms, prey preferences, and potential applications were summarized. Approximately 70% of the algicidal bacteria lyse algae by indirect attack, with the rest requiring direct contact with the target prey, and algae species specificity is not evident among various algicidal bacteria. Mechanistic knowledge about the lysis effects of algicidal bacteria on their prey is still deficient, owing to the limitations of current techniques for identifying the interactions of algae and algicidal bacteria at various levels, from molecular to cellular and population scales. The advantages and disadvantages of algicidal bacterial cell lysis versus conventional non-biological methods were discussed. Potential ways to address the drawbacks of bacteria-based algal cell lysis for biofuel production were proposed.