title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, College of Agricultural and Marine Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. sergey@squ.edu.om
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dobretsov
authors.forename: Raeid M M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Abed
authors.forename: Max
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teplitski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000737:chemistry; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D005658:Fungi / Q000737:chemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D013559:Symbiosis; D001468:Thoracica / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D004202:Disinfectants