Effect of copper sulfate on growth and odor production of several microorganisms

Summary

Anabaena ucrainica and Streptomyces sp. J-11 produce the odorous compounds, geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), respectively, during their growth. The effect of copper sulfate on their growth, and the production of the odorous compound, were investigated. The addition of copper sulfate at a concentration of 0.5 mg L^-1 into the culture medium of Anabaena resulted in the reduction of the cell density to about 30% and the release of the intracellular geosmin of Anabaena cells by cell lysis. In contrast, in the presence of copper sulfate at the same or higher concentrations, the cell density of Streptomyces did not differ much, and its production of 2- methylisoborneol increased.