Activities of Corallina (Corallinales) and other Rhodophyta polymers in the modulation of calcification

The effects of a range of fractions from calcareous and non-calcareous marine red algae on the crystal growth of calcite-seeded supersaturated calcium carbonate solutions were monitored by measuring the change in conductivity. An effective inhibitor of crystallization was a macromolecular fraction derived from the coralline red alga, Corallina officinalis, by a series of acid and alkali treatments. A preliminary characterization of the extract suggests the presence of a protein-polysaccharide complex. The possibility that this participates in the modulation of calcification in vivo is suggested.