Evaluation of biological and enzymatic quorum quencher coating additives to reduce biocorrosion of steel.

Siqian Huang,Randall E Hicks,Celine Bergonzi,Mikael Elias,Michael Schwab,Lorenzo Brusetti

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217059

Siqian Huang, Randall E Hicks + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217059

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Abstract

Microbial colonization can be detrimental to the integrity of metal surfaces and lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). Biocorrosion is a serious problem for aquatic and marine industries in the world. In Minnesota (USA), where this study was conducted, biocorrosion severely affects the maritime transportation industry. The anticorrosion activity of a variety of compounds, including chemical (magnesium peroxide) and biological (surfactin, capsaicin, and gramicidin) molecules were investigated as coating additives. We also evaluated a previously engineered, extremely stable, non-biocidal enzyme known to interfere in bacterial signaling, SsoPox (a quorum quenching lactonase). Experimental steel coupons were submerged in water from the Duluth Superior Harbor (DSH) for 8 weeks in the laboratory. Biocorrosion was evaluated by counting the number and the coverage of corrosion tubercles on coupons and also by ESEM imaging of the coupon surface. Three experimental coating additives significantly reduced the formation of corrosion tubercles: surfactin, magnesium peroxide and the quorum quenching lactonase by 31%, 36% and 50%, respectively. DNA sequence analysis of the V4 region of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene revealed that these decreases in corrosion were associated with significant changes in the composition of bacterial communities on the steel surfaces. These results demonstrate the potential of highly stable quorum quenching lactonases to provide a reliable, cost-effective method to treat steel structures and prevent biocorrosion.

Highlights

Microorganisms are capable of colonizing surfaces of numerous and diverse materials
We evaluated the anticorrosion activity of a variety of chemical, biological, and enzymatic coating additives on steel coupons in Duluth-Superior Harbor (DSH) water for 8 weeks in the laboratory
Significant reductions in corrosion tubercle formation were observed on the coated steel coupon surfaces after 8 weeks despite the rapid decay in lactonase activity in the coating

Summary

Introduction

Microorganisms are capable of colonizing surfaces of numerous and diverse materials. This colonization process leads to a firmly adhering and complex microbial community termed biofilm [1]. Biofilms, which can lead to biofouling, are detrimental to their substrates [2, 3] and cause biodeterioration of metal surfaces, known as microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) or biocorrosion [4, 5]. Biocorrosion is a severe problem for world maritime industries.

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