Enzymes in antifouling paint.

Knud Allermann, BioLocus A/S

The settlement of different organisms on marine surfaces, a process known as biofouling, constitutes a major economic problem for the transportation at sea. At present antifouling coatings containing toxic biocides and heavy metals are in use on ships and installations in the marine environment. Unwanted adverse effects of the biocides such as toxicity to non-target organisms, imposex in gastropods and increased multiresistance amongst bacteria have been observed. Therefore new alternative methods are needed. The use of enzymes could be a solution. Fouling organisms use biological adhesives in their initial attachment. A way to disrupt these adhesives is by using hydrolytic enzymes to degrade essential compounds in the adhesives. Profound effect on settlement of spores of e.g. barnacles and algae has been shown by independent research laboratories and has been demonstrated in formulated antifouling paints by BioLocus. The formulations has been tested for antifouling activity both in laboratory tests and by field tests on panels, yachts and ships.