ANTIALGAL ACTIVITY OF SOME SIMPLE PHENOLS1

Abstract

The antialgal activity of a number of simple phenols was examined for their effect on the growth of 7 species of unicellular marine algae. The 3 known algal phenols, 5-bromo-3,4-dlhydroxybenzaldehyde; 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzylalcohol, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine, were highly toxic as were other ortho dihydroxy compounds. Mono-hydroxy compounds were notably less toxic. Skeletonema costatum and Olisthodiscus sp. were the most sensitive organisms examined and Dunaliella tertiolecta was the most resistant. [Other organisms studied were Cryptomonad 3-C, Monochrysis lutheri, Amphidinium carteri and Porphyridium sp.] Possible ecological implications of these results are discussed.