Inhibition of Algae by Nystatin

Lampen, J. O. (Rutgers, the State University, New Brunswick, N. J.), and Peter Arnow. Inhibition of algae by nystatin. J. Bacteriol. 82:247-251. 1961.-The polyenic antibiotic nystatin inhibited the growth of a broad range of algae at concentrations of 1 to 30 mug per ml. Organisms included in the Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Chrysophyta, and Cyanophyta were inhibited, but a Bacillariophyceae was insensitive. Nystatin was lethal at concentrations which completely prevented growth. The polyene was absorbed by sensitive algae from aqueous medium. Nystatin produced K(+) leakage, but did not inhibit dark respiration or photosynthetic oxygen production. The effects of the antibiotic on algae appear to be similar in many ways to those on yeast.