Attachment of zoospores of the fouling algaenteromorphain the presence of zosteric acid

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Abstract
The effect on adhesion of Enteromorpha zoospores of a range of concentrations of zosteric acid (p‐(sulpho‐oxy) cinnamic acid) and two unsulphated phenolic acid analogues viz. p‐coumaric acid and trans‐cinnamic acid, was tested. At concentrations up to 0.25 mM, zosteric acid inhibited zoospore adhesion by up to approximately 50% whilst there were no significant differences between the number of adhered zoospores in the presence of p‐coumaric acid and cinnamic acid. None of the test compounds affected the viability of adhered zoospores (measured in terms of germination) at concentrations below 0.5 mM. However, viability decreased in the presence of all the test compounds at concentrations above 0.5 mM. The basis of the non‐toxic inhibition of zoospore adhesion by zosteric acid is discussed.