Research on Algal Odor

This article discusses research at the R. A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center to investigate the cause of odor production by algae. Investigations carried out with Chlorococcum, a unicellular green alga, in pure culture indicate that the odoriferous material is, for the most part, retained within the cells until their death or disintegration. The odor produced by this algae increased notably under experimental conditions in the acidic pH range. Fractionation of disintegrated algal cells revealed that a number of chemical compounds are involved in the odoriferous material.