Isolation and characterisation of some antifouling agents from the brown alga Sargassumconfusum

Abstract

Fats and phthalic acid derivatives were isolated and characterised based on their spectral analysis from the antifouling activity guided fractions of n-hexane and methanol extract of the brown alga Sargassum confusum. The fractions, as well as the isolated compounds, demonstrated significant antifouling activity against spores of a major fouling alga Ulva pertusa with 50–75% decrease of spore attachment on agar-coated slides.

Keywords:

• Antifouling activity
• Saragassum confusum
• Brown alga
• Fats
• Phthalic acid derivatives
• Agar diffusion method

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ministry of Maritime and Fisheries grant, South Korea and Soonchunhyang University provided the necessary infrastructure. We are also thankful to Dr M. Sidharthan and Professor Lee Tae Wan for identification of the plant material and meaningful discussions.