Inhibition of fouling by marine bacteria immobilised in κ-carrageenan beads

Abstract

Antifouling solutions that leave little or no impact in the world's oceans are constantly being sought. This study employed the immobilisation of the antifouling bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata in κ-carrageenan to demonstrate how a surface may be protected from fouling by bacteria, i.e. a ‘living paint’. Attempts so far to produce a ‘living paint’ have been limited in both longevity of effectiveness and demonstration of applicability, most noticeably regarding the lack of any field data. Here survival of bacteria immobilised in κ-carrageenan for 12 months in the laboratory is demonstrated and evidence presented for inhibition of fouling for up to 7 weeks in the field (Sydney Harbour, NSW, Australia).

Keywords:

• Immobilised bacteria
• Pseudoalteromonas tunicata
• κ-carrageenan
• marine antifouling coating
• living paint
• natural hydrogel

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the Environmental Biotechnology CRC and the welcome offering of facilities and protection of our experiments at our field sites: the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron club in Kirribilli, the Naval ‘boat shed’ at Garden Island and Waterways at Glebe. We would also like to thank Dr Emma Johnson and Dr Igor Lacík for fruitful discussions.