Bioactive Extracts from Yucatán Marine Invertebrates as Modulators of Microalgal Dynamics

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The marine environment is a rich source of bioactive compounds with a wide range of applications. In this study, 65 extracts from sponges, ascidians, and a gorgonian collected from the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, were evaluated for their modulatory effects on the growth of four microalgal species. Some extracts were found to exhibit pronounced algicidal activity, while others promoted growth. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the extract from Haliclona (Rhizoniera) curacaoensis led to the identification of arenosclerins A and C as potent algicidal agents, active across all tested microalgae. In contrast, the extract from Halichondria melanadocia enhanced microalgal growth, and chemical analysis revealed the presence of medelamine A and B as putative growth-promoting compounds. This study provides a new report on microalgae-modulating activities of marine sponge metabolites. The dual activity observed, both inhibitory and stimulatory, not only contributes to our understanding of marine compound diversity but also underscores the potential of these marine-derived compounds for sustainable environmental management practices.