Figs.
(left) Culture solution of algaecide bacteria
(middle left) Purification of active substances by chromatography
(middle right) Structure determination of active substances by spectral analysis
(right) Identified algaecides
The identification of algaecides is done by the same method as in conventional natural product chemistry. That is, we cultivate algaecides, extract the products, and purify them by various chromatographic methods using algaecidal activity as an indicator. Once purified, the structure is determined by various spectral analyses such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance.
However, this is a culture medium, a specific environment that is completely different from the natural environment in that it is in a high nutrient state with no external enemies, and there are no microalgae to be killed. At this point, we still do not know if substances produced under such circumstances are involved in the actual algaecide phenomenon. In addition, spraying this substance like a pesticide is undesirable in terms of cost and environmental impact.
