Chemotactic responses of Vibrio alginolyticus to algal extracellular products.

A capillary assay was used to evaluate the chemotactic responses of Vibrio alginolyticus to three common algal extracellular products. Acrylate and glycolate attracted the motile marine bacterium. The peak response occurred with 10(-2) M of each chemical. Acrylic and glycolic acid also attracted V. alginolyticus, with the peak response occurring at 5 x 10(-4) M of each chemical. Higher concentrations of the organic acids resulted in a decreased response. The bacteria also displayed positive chemotaxis to dimethyl sulfide.