Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting the formation of CaCO.sub.3 -containing deposits on a surface, by applying a composition comprising an anti-calcification effective amount of the polysaccharide-containing fraction substantially devoid of proteinaceous material, isolated from a CaCO.sub.3 -containing tissue obtained from a CaCO.sub.3 -forming organism. The fractions can be isolated from a variety of CaCO.sub.3 -containing tissues, including but not limited to algae coccolith and the like. The present method is useful for the prevention and/or retardation of inorganic scaling, as well as, for the inhibition of fouling by plant or animal organisms.