Algal growth control by a barley straw extract

In recent years, there has been an apparent increase in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms occurring in potable waters. The potential of a simple barley straw extract to inhibit algal growth was assessed. Algal growth in lakewater was inhibited by the addition of barley straw (1% w/v), with the chlorophyll a concentration remaining below the original level (40 micrograms l-1) throughout the experiment. In contrast, in the presence of wheat straw, algal biomass increased, reaching a final chlorophyll a concentration of 1160 micrograms l-1 after 28 days. Analysis of the remaining particulate straw at the end of the experiment showed that the lignin content of barley straw had increased significantly from 10-33% (w/w). Further, a preparation of a simple aqueous extract from the decomposed-barley straw was found to inhibit the cyanobacteria Microcystis sp. and the algal species Scenedesmus, with chlorophyll a levels some 10-fold lower than in untreated flasks. This study shows that a decomposed-barley extract, even in a very dilute concentration (0.005%) was capable of inhibiting the growth of Microcystis sp., a commonly occurring cyanobacterium which produces the toxin microcystin and has been responsible for some of the most serious pernicious algal blooms in the UK.