The cost-effective manufacturing of a novel algaecide against blue green algae in fresh-water aquaculture operations has great potential for controlling "off-flavor" problems in pond-raised catfish. The proposed natural-based algaecide has selective activity for blue-green algae as well as a more favorable environmental performance profile with little/no activity towards complimentary phytoplankton community of production ponds. However, the major hurdle in bringing this product to the market ahs been its cost of production. In order for the aquaculture industry to gain economic benefit from this safer and more selective algaecide, we propose to design and implement a low-cost, scaleable manufacturing synthesis method that produces an active product. Laboratory studies will be used to validate the efficiency and performance of this alternatively synthesized product relative to control samples. Our ability to manufacture a costeffective, selective and environmentally-safer algaecide will improve the quality of aquaculture products for domestic catfish farmers.
Potential Commercial Applications: This technology has broader commercial application beyond aquaculture that include, benefits for water quality control in municipal water supplies, both public and private. In the short term, the successful production of this algaecide will provide catfish farmers with an effective yet affordable product to mitigate economic losses linked to blue green algae
