Influence of polymeric 3-alkylpyridinium salts from the marine sponge Reniera sarai on the growth of algae and wood decay fungi.

Polymeric alkylpyridinium salts (poly-APS) isolated from the marine sponge Reniera sarai act as antifouling and anticholinesterase agents. They also show moderate haemolytic and cytotoxic activities against different cell lines. The haemolytic activity of poly-APS is due to their detergent-like structure and behaviour in aqueous solutions. In this work, the lytic activity of poly-APS against freshwater and marine algae, and inhibitory effects on wood decay fungi, were investigated. The results show that poly-APS inhibit the proliferation and movements of susceptible algae. Effects of poly-APS were time- and concentration-dependent and differed between various algal species. No growth inhibition effects were observed towards the examined wood fungi.