Inhibition of Chlorella growth by the lipids of cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

The total lipids of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa have been isolated and fractionated into its components. Of these lipid components, only the fatty acid-containing fraction inhibited the growth of the green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. The inhibitory activity appears to be due to linoleic and linolenic acids, which are both present in significants quantities. These acids may be the substances responsible for the reported toxicity of Microcystis aeruginosa to Chlorella.