Effects of Litchi chinensis leaf litter extract on the growth, photosynthesis and metabolic activity in Microcystis aeruginosa

We investigated the use of Litchi chinensis leaf litter extract (LCLLE) on the growth, chlorophyll a (Chl-alpha) fluorescence and physiological properties for Microcystis aeruginosa. The algal growth, photosynthesis and metabolic functions were effectively inhibited in a dose dependent manner but the effect was only temporary and the extract functions only as an algicistat. Furthermore, GC-MS analysis showed that several kinds of volatile chemicals, such as n-hexadecanoic acid in LCLLE suppressed the growth of algae.