The characteristics and algicidal mechanisms of cyanobactericidal bacteria, a review

Cyanobacterial blooms are a worldwide problem, especially in freshwaters. As one of the most abundant co-existing organisms of algae, bacteria play critical roles in cyanobacteria growth, particularly the cyanobactericidal bacteria which can efficiently kill cyanobacteria. Recent years, cyanobactericidal bacteria are highly recognized as a method that could potentially block cyanobacterial blooms. Many studies have been conducted to assess their effects on the termination of cyanobacteria blooms and explore their cyanobactericidal mechanisms, e.g., attacking by cell to cell or releasing specific compounds, the physiological, metabolic, and transcriptional disturbance on cyanobacteria. In this review, the present state of research on cyanobactericidal bacteria for the bloom-causing cyanobacteria species is summarized. The challenges in applying cyanobactericidal bacteria in the control of natural cyanobacterial blooms are discussed.