Chitosan-zinc oxide nanocomposite coatings for the prevention of marine biofouling.
Marine biofouling is a worldwide problem affecting maritime industries. Global concerns about the high toxicity of antifouling paints have highlighted the need to develop less toxic antifouling coatings. Chitosan is a natural polymer with antimicrobial, antifungal and antialgal properties that is obtained from partial deacetylation of crustacean waste. In the present study, nanocomposite chitosan-zinc oxide (chitosan-ZnO) nanoparticle hybrid coatings were developed and their antifouling activity was tested. Chitosan-ZnO nanoparticle coatings showed anti-diatom activity against Navicula sp. and antibacterial activity against the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens. Additional antifouling properties of the coatings were investigated in a mesocosm study using tanks containing natural sea water under controlled laboratory conditions. Each week for four weeks, biofilm was removed and analysed by flow cytometry to estimate total bacterial densities on the coated substrates. Chitosan-ZnO hybrid coatings led to better inhibition of bacterial growth in comparison to chitosan coatings alone, as determined by flow cytometry. This study demonstrates the antifouling potential of chitosan-ZnO nanocomposite hybrid coatings, which can be used for the prevention of biofouling.
Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Al-Khodh, Oman; School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
Laila
L
Al-Naamani
Department of Marine Science and Fisheries, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Al-Khodh, Oman; Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Al-Khodh, Oman. Electronic address: sergey@squ.edu.om.
Sergey
S
Dobretsov
Functional Materials Division, Materials and Nano Physics Department, ICT School, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE-164 40, Kista, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: joydeep@kth.se.
Joydeep
J
Dutta
School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK.
J Grant
JG
Burgess
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry*; D017377:Diatoms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053761:Nanocomposites / Q000737:chemistry*; D010150:Paint; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D031161:Pseudoalteromonas / Q000187:drug effects; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology; D012995:Solubility; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D011108:Polymers; D048271:Chitosan; D015032:Zinc; D015034:Zinc Oxide
Antifouling; Biofilm; Chitosan; Nanocomposite coating; ZnO nanoparticles