Enzyme-based antifouling coatings: a review

Abstract

A systematic overview is presented of the literature that reports the antifouling (AF) protection of underwater structures via the action of enzymes. The overall aim of this review is to assess the state of the art of enzymatic AF technology, and to highlight the obstacles that have to be overcome for successful development of enzymatic AF coatings. The approaches described in the literature are divided into direct and indirect enzymatic AF, depending on the intended action of the enzymes. Direct antifouling is used when the enzymes themselves are active antifoulants. Indirect antifouling refers to the use of enzymes to release an active biocide with AF activity. For direct AF, several patents have been granted, and a commercial product has been launched. However, the achievement of an efficient broad-spectrum AF coating based on a single or a few enzymes has not yet been achieved. An indirect AF coating is not yet available commercially. The technology is mainly limited by the instability of substrate supply, whether the substrates are found in the surrounding seawater or in the coating itself. Legislative issues regarding which part(s) of an enzyme system should be regarded as biocidal for product registration purposes are also considered. The above question currently remains unanswered for technologies utilising indirect enzymatic AF.

Immobilized enzymes affect biofilm formation

“…This phenomenon, known as biofouling, has severe negative impacts in industry and in medicine, for example by clogging membranes and filters, or causing infections. The use of enzymes to control biofouling has been receiving increasing attention (Olsen et al 2007;Kaplan 2009;Kristensen et al 2008;Cordeiro and Werner in press 2011). Enzymes are currently available at affordable prices and are therefore viable for industrial use, and since they are biodegradable, they are also environmentally friendly.…”

Progress of marine biofouling and antifouling technologies

“…Therefore, balancing of the effectiveness and lifespan will be a major challenge. Furthermore, the design of an appropriate coating matrix to contain the enzymes will be another crucial step for successful application [112]. In addition, the distribution of enzyme and its amount should also be analyzed in detail, because soluble enzymes will soon form a thick leaching layer.…”

Biofouling: lessons from nature

“…Antifouling coatings include bioinspired dopamine from mussels [109] and natural enzyme [127] additives. Additionally, researchers have studied antifouling coatings with metabolites from micro-organisms, living bacteria and dopamine [33].…”