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Volume 16
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Article

Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Potential, Sustainable Coating Agent for the Prevention and Removal of Algal Biofilms on Building Materials: Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action, and Effects on Material Properties

by
Michał Komar
1,2,*,
Aleksandra Zinkiewicz
1,
Alessandro De Rosa
3,
Paulina Nowicka-Krawczyk
4,
Aneta Płaza-Altamer
5,
Tomasz Ruman
5,
Joanna Nizioł
5,
António Portugal
6,7,8,
Nuno Mesquita
6 and
Beata Gutarowska
1
1
Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology, Wolczanska 171/173, 90-530 Lodz, Poland
2
Interdisciplinary Doctoral School, Lodz University of Technology, Zeromskiego 116, 90-924 Lodz, Poland
3
Department of Humanities, University of Naples Suor Orsola Benincasa, Via Santa Caterina da Siena 32, 80132 Naples, Italy
4
Department of Algology and Mycology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Banacha 12/16, 90-237 Lodz, Poland
5
Faculty of Chemistry, Rzeszow University of Technology, al. Powstancow Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland
6
Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE)-Science for People & the Planet, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calcada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
7
TERRA—Associate Laboratory for Sustainable Land Use and Ecosystem Services, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
8
FitoLab—Laboratory for Phytopathology, Instituto Pedro Nunes, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030-199 Coimbra, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Coatings 2026, 16(9), 1109; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091109 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 2 August 2026 / Revised: 5 September 2026 / Accepted: 10 September 2026 / Published: 17 September 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Methods of Shaping the Structure and Properties of Coatings, 2nd Edition)
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Abstract

Algal biofilms contribute to the biodeterioration of building materials (BMs), while restrictions on conventional algicides stimulate the search for sustainable protection strategies. This study evaluated the antialgal potential of selected essential oils and active compounds, with particular emphasis on lemongrass essential oil (LGC), for the control of microalgal biofilms on brick and render surfaces. Three essential oils (Lavandula angustifolia, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Cymbopogon citratus) and two active compounds, eugenol (EU) and geraniol, were screened against terrestrial microalgal strains associated with biodeterioration. Antialgal activity was assessed based on minimum inhibitory and algicidal concentrations. LGC and EU inhibited microalgal growth, reducing photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll a content, and inducing cellular alterations. Metabolomic analysis revealed a strong stress response involving membrane lipid remodeling, oxidative stress, and disruption of photosynthetic metabolism. LGC and EU caused cellular damage, with LGC inducing faster degradation and EU enabling partial adaptation. LGC effectively reduced microalgal biofilms on brick and render, decreased photosynthetic activity, and partially restored surface coloration, without causing significant changes in substrate pH or water absorptivity. Effectiveness depended on biofilm maturity and substrate characteristics. The integrated microbiological, physiological, metabolomic, and material-based approach confirmed the potential of LGC as a sustainable component of future protective coatings for mineral BMs.
Keywords: lemongrass essential oil; microalgal biofilm control; mineral building materials; antialgal coating; sustainable biocides lemongrass essential oil; microalgal biofilm control; mineral building materials; antialgal coating; sustainable biocides
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MDPI and ACS Style

Komar, M.; Zinkiewicz, A.; De Rosa, A.; Nowicka-Krawczyk, P.; Płaza-Altamer, A.; Ruman, T.; Nizioł, J.; Portugal, A.; Mesquita, N.; Gutarowska, B. Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Potential, Sustainable Coating Agent for the Prevention and Removal of Algal Biofilms on Building Materials: Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action, and Effects on Material Properties. Coatings 2026, 16, 1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091109

AMA Style

Komar M, Zinkiewicz A, De Rosa A, Nowicka-Krawczyk P, Płaza-Altamer A, Ruman T, Nizioł J, Portugal A, Mesquita N, Gutarowska B. Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Potential, Sustainable Coating Agent for the Prevention and Removal of Algal Biofilms on Building Materials: Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action, and Effects on Material Properties. Coatings. 2026; 16(9):1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091109

Chicago/Turabian Style

Komar, Michał, Aleksandra Zinkiewicz, Alessandro De Rosa, Paulina Nowicka-Krawczyk, Aneta Płaza-Altamer, Tomasz Ruman, Joanna Nizioł, António Portugal, Nuno Mesquita, and Beata Gutarowska. 2026. "Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Potential, Sustainable Coating Agent for the Prevention and Removal of Algal Biofilms on Building Materials: Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action, and Effects on Material Properties" Coatings 16, no. 9: 1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091109

APA Style

Komar, M., Zinkiewicz, A., De Rosa, A., Nowicka-Krawczyk, P., Płaza-Altamer, A., Ruman, T., Nizioł, J., Portugal, A., Mesquita, N., & Gutarowska, B. (2026). Lemongrass Essential Oil as a Potential, Sustainable Coating Agent for the Prevention and Removal of Algal Biofilms on Building Materials: Efficacy, Mechanisms of Action, and Effects on Material Properties. Coatings, 16(9), 1109. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16091109

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