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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Biologically active organic compounds, especially plant promoters, in algae extracts and their potential application in plant cultivation

subject

description

Scientific efforts taken during the past decades undoubtedly have proven that algae are organisms wealthy in various chemical substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals, as well as polysaccharides, polyphenols, phlorotannins, pigments, unsaturated fats, sterols, and of course growth promoting substances like phytohormones. It is noteworthy that among the many biologically active compounds obtained from seaweeds, plant hormones seem to be the most essential for enhancing the growth and development of crop plants. This fact is well reflected in over 60 years of the long history of controlled application of algae origin products as natural fertilizers in crop production. Nevertheless, this sort of natural treasure is not easily accessible. This is the reason why certain aspects of the chemical composition of algae and the properties of the valuable and biologically active molecules as well as common and more advanced methods of extraction, isolation, and identification of these substances are described in this chapter. Moreover, the information about compounds that promote plant growth, especially methods of their chemical analysis, and application of algal extracts into processes of maintaining plant crop, are reviewed in this chapter.