Mini-review: Inhibition of biofouling by marine microorganisms

Abstract

Any natural or artificial substratum exposed to seawater is quickly fouled by marine microorganisms and later by macrofouling species. Microfouling organisms on the surface of a substratum form heterogenic biofilms, which are composed of multiple species of heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, diatoms, protozoa and fungi. Biofilms on artificial structures create serious problems for industries worldwide, with effects including an increase in drag force and metal corrosion as well as a reduction in heat transfer efficiency. Additionally, microorganisms produce chemical compounds that may induce or inhibit settlement and growth of other fouling organisms. Since the last review by the first author on inhibition of biofouling by marine microbes in 2006, significant progress has been made in the field. Several antimicrobial, antialgal and antilarval compounds have been isolated from heterotrophic marine bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi. Some of these compounds have multiple bioactivities. Microorganisms are able to disrupt biofilms by inhibition of bacterial signalling and production of enzymes that degrade bacterial signals and polymers. Epibiotic microorganisms associated with marine algae and invertebrates have a high antifouling (AF) potential, which can be used to solve biofouling problems in industry. However, more information about the production of AF compounds by marine microorganisms in situ and their mechanisms of action needs to be obtained. This review focuses on the AF activity of marine heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi and covers publications from 2006 up to the end of 2012.

Charged hydrophilic polymer brushes and their relevance for understanding marine biofouling

“…This assemblage of microorganisms and EPS is referred to as a biofilm, or slime. The presence of biofilms on surfaces may influence the settlement of propagules of higher organisms such as algal spores (Joint et al 2002, Marshall et al 2006, Mieszkin et al 2013, Patel et al 2003, larvae of barnacles (Dobretsov et al 2013, Hadfield & Paul 2001 and tubeworms (Hadfield 2011, Zardus et al 2008. The colonization by these organisms on surfaces leads to economic and environmental costs, which have been widely reported (Callow & Callow 2011, Fitridge et al 2012, Schultz et al 2011).…”

“…The fact that propagules of marine fouling organisms settle and attach easily on immersed untreated solid surfaces, while many slimy or gel-like surfaces, such as marine algae (Bhadury & Wright 2004) and sea anemones (Atalah et al 2013) are more resistant to epibiosis, has inspired to explore the potential of hydrogels and other highly hydrophilic materials for the control of marine biofouling (Ekblad et al 2008, Larsson et al 2007, Yandi et al 2014, and for informing the development of useful coatings. The prevention of epibiosis of marine organisms is sometimes the combined result of a strongly hydrated surface and, for example, secretion of substances with antifouling activity by the basibiont (Dobretsov et al 2013, Fusetani 2004, Rickert et al 2015, continuous production of mucus (Wahl et al 1998), or other specifically developed antifouling mechanisms. It has also been found that attachment and settlement of marine organisms on synthetic neutral hydrogels or hydrophilic polymers is very low both in laboratory and in marine field tests (up to 1 h exposure to bacteria or algal spores, 48 h incubation with barnacle cyprids, up to two months field immersion) (Ekblad et al 2008, Xie et al 2011, Yandi et al 2014.…”

Mg–Al mixed metal oxide film derived from layered double hydroxide precursor film: Fabrication and antibacterial properties

“…This is a widespread problem in the food industry [1], hospitals [2], and marine [3] and aerospace construction applications [4]. Bacterial biofilms serve as reservoirs for pathogen development, which could lead to infectious diseases [5].…”

Biofouling on Coated Carbon Steel in Cooling Water Cycles Using Brackish Seawater

“…Given the costs of biofouling treatment, power plants require biofouling and biocorrosion control solutions that are economically efficient, easy to apply to the system, as well as environmentally sustainable. This can be achieved by adjusting the timing and magnitude of chlorination in combination with special antifouling surfaces [6,[12][13][14]. There is a need, however, for deeper understanding of the structure of the microbial community responsible for biofouling of the surfaces under real industrial conditions.…”