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

• Published in: Biofouling (Chur, Switzerland) Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 287 - 294
• Main Authors: Yee, Lachlan H., Holmström, Carola, Fuary, Evi T., Lewin, Nigel C., Kjelleberg, Staffan, Steinberg, Peter D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 01.01.2007
• Subjects: Carrageenan; Cells, Immobilized - physiology; Eukaryota - drug effects; Eukaryota - growth & development; Hot Temperature; Immobilised bacteria; living paint; Marine; marine antifouling coating; Microbial Viability; natural hydrogel; Oceans and Seas; Paint; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Pseudoalteromonas - cytology; Pseudoalteromonas - physiology; Pseudoalteromonas tunicata; Sensitivity and Specificity; Time Factors; κ-carrageenan; PSE, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney; World Ocean
• ISSN: 0892-7014; 1029-2454
• DOI: 10.1080/08927010701366280

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).