The importance of siderophores in iron nutrition of heterotrophic marine bacteria

Iron acquisition by seven strains of heterotrophic marine bacteria from a number of siderophore-iron complexes has been studied to evaluate the importance of siderophores for iron nutrition. Desferrioxamine B and marine siderophores partly purified from iron-limited cultures were considered. Iron dissolved in seawater binds to strong organic complexes with stability constants similar to those of microbial iron chelates. Results indicate bacteria may rely on siderophores to gain iron in situ.