Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus

Abstract A rapid amplification of algal population has a negative impact on the environment and the global economy. Thus, control of algal proliferation is an important issue and effective procedures which reduce algal blooms and control algal fouling are highly desired. Gemini surfactants are consi...

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Main Authors: Konrad Krajewski, Katarzyna Łudzik, Aneta Żabka, Justyna Teresa Polit, Anna Zawisza, Janusz Maszewski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2021-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82165-9
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author Konrad Krajewski
Katarzyna Łudzik
Aneta Żabka
Justyna Teresa Polit
Anna Zawisza
Janusz Maszewski
author_facet Konrad Krajewski
Katarzyna Łudzik
Aneta Żabka
Justyna Teresa Polit
Anna Zawisza
Janusz Maszewski
author_sort Konrad Krajewski
collection DOAJ
description Abstract A rapid amplification of algal population has a negative impact on the environment and the global economy. Thus, control of algal proliferation is an important issue and effective procedures which reduce algal blooms and control algal fouling are highly desired. Gemini surfactants are considered to have a low environmental impact, therefore they seem to be a promising group of detergents which could reduce algal blooms in water systems. Furthermore, due to their emulsifying properties they could replace algaecides added to antifouling paints and decrease algae adhesion to various surfaces. In this study the toxic effect of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant was investigated on Chlorella cells and close attention was paid to a potential mechanism of its action. At the high cell density (10.05 × 107 cells/mL) a dose-dependent cell death was found and the IC50 value was reached at the concentration of 19.6 µmol/L after 72-h exposure to the surfactant. The decrease in chlorophyll autofluorescence shows that the photosynthetic apparatus seems to be the target of the tested compound. The presented studies indicate that gemini surfactants could effectively reduce algal blooms in water systems, and if added to paints, they could decrease algal growth on external building walls or other water immersed surfaces.
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id doaj-art-8d6d3ed2a1684f3da8d87de128f7c131
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issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2021-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-8d6d3ed2a1684f3da8d87de128f7c1312025-08-20T03:38:16ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-01-0111111210.1038/s41598-021-82165-9Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatusKonrad Krajewski0Katarzyna Łudzik1Aneta Żabka2Justyna Teresa Polit3Anna Zawisza4Janusz Maszewski5Department of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzDepartment of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of LodzDepartment of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzDepartment of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzDepartment of Organic and Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of LodzDepartment of Cytophysiology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of LodzAbstract A rapid amplification of algal population has a negative impact on the environment and the global economy. Thus, control of algal proliferation is an important issue and effective procedures which reduce algal blooms and control algal fouling are highly desired. Gemini surfactants are considered to have a low environmental impact, therefore they seem to be a promising group of detergents which could reduce algal blooms in water systems. Furthermore, due to their emulsifying properties they could replace algaecides added to antifouling paints and decrease algae adhesion to various surfaces. In this study the toxic effect of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant was investigated on Chlorella cells and close attention was paid to a potential mechanism of its action. At the high cell density (10.05 × 107 cells/mL) a dose-dependent cell death was found and the IC50 value was reached at the concentration of 19.6 µmol/L after 72-h exposure to the surfactant. The decrease in chlorophyll autofluorescence shows that the photosynthetic apparatus seems to be the target of the tested compound. The presented studies indicate that gemini surfactants could effectively reduce algal blooms in water systems, and if added to paints, they could decrease algal growth on external building walls or other water immersed surfaces.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82165-9
spellingShingle Konrad Krajewski
Katarzyna Łudzik
Aneta Żabka
Justyna Teresa Polit
Anna Zawisza
Janusz Maszewski
Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
Scientific Reports
title Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
title_full Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
title_fullStr Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
title_full_unstemmed Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
title_short Anti-algal activity of the 12-5-12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
title_sort anti algal activity of the 12 5 12 gemini surfactant results from its impact on the photosynthetic apparatus
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-82165-9
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