Utilization of Agricultural Straw as a Source of Anti Algal Agent for Control of Microcystis aeruginosa

K. G. Padmakumar, P. R. Remya, T. R. Arathi, B. Alan, T. Praseetha, Rekha Bhaskar, Anjana Venu S. , Athulya V Gopal, Anu Pradeep P

Abstract: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a regular occurrence in eutrophic water bodies and their occurrence has been increasing in freshwaters due to climate change. Microcystins are among the most prevalent and potent of the cyanobacterial toxins. As physico-chemical methods such as often employed for its control have been observed to be only with limited success as the use of copper algicides, though effective in managing HABs, often results in negative impacts such as copper toxicity and release of microcystins into surrounding water after cyanobacterial lysis. One alternative approach to the control of algal blooms involves the use of biological control agents. As conventional water treatment processes are not effective in removing these cyanotoxins in water and as it may also enhance the release of cyanotoxins contained within the producer-cells, a cheap economical and novel method for treating micro algae by allelochemicals form rice straw has been successfully demonstrated. The study has demonstrated the possible use natural material, rice straw of rice water extract for control of toxic algae Microcystis aeruginosa in laboratory-based investigations.

Keywords: Harmful algal blooms, Microcystin, cyanotoxins Microcystis aeruginosa