Flavonoids as inducers of extracellular proteins and exopolysaccharides of Sinorhizobium fredii

 Some flavonoids present in root exudates are inducers of nod genes in rhizobia-legume symbioses. They also induce changes in the molecular weight, structure, and level of secretion of some extracellular proteins, exopolysaccharides (EPS) and lipopolysaccharides. We showed that incubation of Sinorhizobium fredii USDA 257 with four flavonoids (genistein, naringenin, chrysin, and apigenin) promoted its growth in the late log phase. By contrast, only genistein accelerated the growth of S. fredii TU 6 under the same conditions. When both strains were incubated with naringenin the synthesis of EPS decreased. However, this compound increased the secretion of extracellular proteins in the early log phase. The specific mode of action of naringenin is still not clear. Received: 1 July 1998