Effectiveness and Mechanisms of Recoverable Magnetic Nanoparticles on Mitigating Golden Mussel Biofouling

Abstract

Mussel biofouling has become a problem in aquatic ecosystems, causing significant ecological impact and huge economic loss globally. Although several strategies have been proposed and tested, efficient and environment-friendly antifouling methods are still scarce. Here, we investigated the effects of recoverable magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) with different sizes (10 and 100 nm), coatings (polyethylene glycol and polylysine), and concentrations (0.01 and 0.1 mg/L) on byssus adhesion-mediated biofouling by the notorious golden mussel Limnoperna fortunei. The results showed that magnetic Fe3O4-NPs, especially negatively charged polyethylene glycol-coated Fe3O4-NPs, size- and concentration-dependently reduced the byssus production, performance (breaking force and failure location), and adhesion rate. Further investigations on mechanisms showed that the down-regulation of foot protein 2 (Lffp-2) and energy-related metabolic pathways inhibited byssus production. The declined gene expression level and metal-binding ability of Lffp-2 significantly affected foot protein interactions, further reducing the plaque size and byssus performance. In addition, the change in the water redox state likely reduced byssus performance by preventing the interface interactions between the substrate and foot proteins. Our results confirm the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of magnetic Fe3O4-NPs on mitigating L. fortunei biofouling, thus providing a reference for developing efficient and environment-friendly antifouling strategies against fouling mussels.

Limnoperna fortuneias an invasive biofouling bivalve species in freshwater: a review of its occurrence, biological traits, risks, and control strategies

“…Girardello et al (2021) found that ZnO nanoparticles alter the redox metabolism of L. fortunei. Moreover, another recent study investigated the effects of recoverable magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles on byssus adhesion mediated biofouling golden mussel L. fortunei (Li et al 2021). The results confirmed the effectiveness and underlying mechanisms of magnetic ferroferric oxide nanoparticles on mitigating L. fortunei biofouling, which provides a reference for developing efficient and environmental-friendly antifouling strategies against fouling mussels.…”

“…Various physical and chemical measures have been performed to eliminate the negative effects caused by L. fortunei Wei et al 2016;Li et al 2019;Li et al 2021). The biofouling mussels can be temporarily dislodged through physical methods such as oxygen deprivation and thermal treatment (Perepelizin & Boltovskoy 2011).…”

Nanotechnology-Based Solutions for Antibiofouling Applications: An Overview

“…Moreover, adjusting the redox state of water diminished the negative impact on byssus by forestalling the cooperation between the substrate and foot proteins. Ferroferric oxide NPs alleviate the biofouling caused by L. fortunei , which is considered the most productive and highly efficient antifouling procedure against fouling mussels . Mussel-inspired chemistry in the fabrication of antibiofouling materials and the preparation strategies are shown in Figure .…”

“…Ferroferric oxide NPs alleviate the biofouling caused by L. fortunei, which is considered the most productive and highly efficient antifouling procedure against fouling mussels. 139 Mussel-inspired chemistry in the fabrication of antibiofouling materials and the preparation strategies are shown in Figure 4.…”

Synthesis of Lysoglycerophosphocholines from Crude Soybean Lecithins as Sustainable and Non-toxic Antifouling Agents against the Golden Mussel Limnoperna fortunei

“…The first's application to aquaculture textiles (e.g., ropes and nets) remains a challenge, 16 whereas the latter has shown good results in controlled aquatic environments. 17 Therefore, a low-cost, efficient procedure, to yield non-toxic antifoulants, is still under development.…”