The Cytolytic Substance Aponin on Prymnesium parvum and Ptychodiscus brevis, a Comparative Study

Abstract

A natural product (aponin) from the marine blue-green alga Gomphosphaeria aponina K tzing demonstrated a cytolytic effect on the naked dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis Steidinger, Florida's red tide organism. In a comparative study mUiPrymnesium parvum Carter, an armored flagellate, aponin showed the absence of a dose-related response as had occurred with P. brevis cells. The study suggested that aponin is not affective toward armored dinoflagellates and, as a management tool, may be useful toward naked dinoflagellates.