Allelopathic effect of Chitosan Fiber on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa

Cyanobacterial bloom elimination has become an urgent concern in aquatic environment protection. Allelopathic technology, however, is one of the potential effective approaches because of its exclusive and ecological safety protection. The potential application of chitosan fiber in the inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa was explored for the first time. Results showed that the cell growth of M. aeruginosa was inhibited effectively by chitosan fibers. After 12 days of treatment, the inhibition rate (IR) of algal cells was above 78.9%; those of chlorophyll a and carotenoids in algal cells were 86.9% and 93.1%, respectively; those of phycocyanin, allophycocyanin and phycoerythrin in phycobiliproteins were all approximately 100%; those of soluble proteins and algal toxins were 88% and 100%, respectively; and those of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were 68% and 74%, respectively. In addition, chitosan fiber effectively destroyed the structure of algal cells involved in the photosynthetic process, thereby destroying the metabolic activity of algal cells. This study provides a novel method utilizing a new allelopathic material.