Unveiling the P-solubilizing potential of bacteria enriched from natural colonies of Red Sea Trichodesmium spp

Phosphorus (P) is pivotal for all organisms, yet its availability is, particularly in the marine habitat, limited. Natural, puff-shaped colonies of Trichodesmium, a genus of diazotrophic cyanobacteria abundant in the Red Sea, have been demonstrated to capture and centre dust particles. While this particle mining strategy is considered to help evade nutrient limitation, details behind the mechanism remain elusive. This study explores P-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) residing within Trichodesmium's associated microbial community, their potential contribution to the host, and the possible implications for P cycling in marine ecosystems. Bacterial enrichment on YBCII medium resulted in 28 enrichment cultures, primarily comprising bacterial families such as Rhodobacteraceae, Alteromonadaceae and Burkholderiaceae. Five enrichment cultures were further grown on hydroxyapatite, revealing their ability to consume and release Nitrogen and P while forming strong physical interactions with the mineral. A drop in pH was observed, indicating acid production as the primary P-solubilizing pathway. Co-cultivation experiments confirmed a positive effect on Trichodesmium erythraeum strain IMS101 growth by the presence of putative PSBs. These results reveal that the enriched bacteria exhibit significant P-solubilizing activity, thus potentially increasing the bioavailability of P in seawater. Thus, PSB could play a vital role in maintaining the P balance in the Red Sea, supporting the growth of Trichodesmium spp. and other marine organisms. Overall, our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the P cycle in the Red Sea and have implications for developing novel strategies for P management in marine ecosystems.