<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>Secondary metabolites produced by plants, algae, bacteria and fungi may affect the growth and development of biological systems. This is a natural process which occurs worldwide and is known as allelopathy. A relatively small number of these allelopathic compounds has been identified. The majority of studies describe the inhibitory effect of investigated compounds, extracts, cell-free filtrates and living cells on other organisms, although stimulatory interactions have also been noticed. Allelopathic interactions in aquatic environments could provide a competitive advantage to some species over other primary producers. Furthermore, allelopathy occurs in all aquatic habitats and all groups of autotrophs are capable of producing and releasing allelopathically active compounds. Moreover, secondary metabolites obtained from phytoplankton could demonstrate other useful bioactive properties. This review is intended to summarize the current knowledge of allelopathic interactions between microalgae and cyanobacteria in aquatic environments, as well as to provide a brief overview of the ecological importance of these interactions and their potential practical application in different branches of industry.</p>
</abstract>

Secondary metabolites produced by plants, algae, bacteria and fungi may affect the growth and development of biological systems. This is a natural process which occurs worldwide and is known as allelopathy. A relatively small number of these allelopathic compounds has been identified. The majority of studies describe the inhibitory effect of investigated compounds, extracts, cell-free filtrates and living cells on other organisms, although stimulatory interactions have also been noticed. Allelopathic interactions in aquatic environments could provide a competitive advantage to some species over other primary producers. Furthermore, allelopathy occurs in all aquatic habitats and all groups of autotrophs are capable of producing and releasing allelopathically active compounds. Moreover, secondary metabolites obtained from phytoplankton could demonstrate other useful bioactive properties. This review is intended to summarize the current knowledge of allelopathic interactions between microalgae and cyanobacteria in aquatic environments, as well as to provide a brief overview of the ecological importance of these interactions and their potential practical application in different branches of industry.

Cyanobacterial and microalgal bioactive compounds – the role of secondary metabolites in allelopathic interactions

Marine Chemistry and Biochemistry Department

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Secondary metabolites produced by plants, algae, bacteria and fungi may affect the growth and development of biological systems. This is a natural process...

Cyanobacterial and microalgal bioactive compounds – the role of secondary metabolites in allelopathic interactions

Article Category: Review paper

Published Online: Mar 10, 2016

Page range: 131 - 143

Received: Jun 09, 2015

Accepted: Jul 27, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2016-0013

Keywords
allelopathy, bioactive compounds, secondary metabolites, microalgae, cyanobacteria

© Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdañsk, Poland. All rights reserved.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Cyanobacterial and microalgal bioactive compounds – the role of secondary metabolites in allelopathic interactions

Article Category: Review paper

Published Online: Mar 10, 2016

Page range: 131 - 143

Received: Jun 09, 2015

Accepted: Jul 27, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/ohs-2016-0013

Keywordsallelopathy, bioactive compounds, secondary metabolites, microalgae, cyanobacteria

© Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdañsk, Poland. All rights reserved.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
allelopathy, bioactive compounds, secondary metabolites, microalgae, cyanobacteria