Natural compounds as additives in paints for controlling algal growth

Abstract

Algae are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms, ranging from microscopic single-cell micro-organisms to very large organisms, such as seaweed. Microalgae belonging to Chlorophyta (green algae) and Cyanophyta (blue-green algae) commonly occur in biofilms. In actual fact, these phototrophic biofilms are complex microbial communities formed by cyanobacteria, microalgae and heterotrophs all embedded in a mucilaginous matrix of exopolymeric substances (EPS), mainly composed of polysaccharides ranging between 50–90%.