Identification of biofilm-forming bacteria from steel panels exposed in sea waters of Jakarta Bay and Madura Strait

Abstract

Biofouling formation on marine constructions may cause significant problem such as bridge and vessel damages. Bacterial biofilms are the initiating cause of biofouling. Unfortunately, information of identified biofilm-forming bacteria associated with biofouling process in Indonesian seawaters was still limited. The purpose of this study was to identify biofilm-forming bacteria from biofouling of surface of steel panels exposed in Seawaters of Jakarta Bay and Madura Strait. Steel panels coated either with antifouling or anticorrosion paints were put into sea waters of Jakarta Bay and Madura Strait. Isolation of bacteria was conducted from steel panels fully covered by fouling organisms and on surface without fouling. Confirmation of biofilm-forming activities was performed based on crystal violets-stained bacterial materials on polystyrene well plates. As results, accumulation of macroorganisms and microorganisms was recognized visually on anticorrosion-coated panel that had been put in all observed sea waters for one month. However, biofouling appearances were not recognized on the antifouling-coated panel. Bacterial colonies isolated from Jakarta Bay (108 isolates) and Madura Strait (30 isolates) were screened for biofilm formation on polystyrene well plates. Five isolates representing the most active strain to biofouling activity were then identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequences. As results, isolates of Jakarta Bay C021.MB.1.8, C221.MB.II.11, and C221.MB.II.12 was closely related to Vibrio alginolyticus (99 % similarity). Another two isolates of Madura Strait J111.SM and J111.1.10-6.S had similarity to Vibrio natriegens (99 % to 100 %). All these biofilm-forming bacteria were isolated from biofouling of panels coated with anticorrosion paints. In addition, we confirmed that V. alginolyticus C021.MB.1.8 formed biofilm only if growth medium is seawater from Jakarta Bay. Our study and the bacterial collections will be useful for evaluating and developing new antifouling paints that will be applied in sea waters of these two sites.Biofouling formation on marine constructions may cause significant problem such as bridge and vessel damages. Bacterial biofilms are the initiating cause of biofouling. Unfortunately, information of identified biofilm-forming bacteria associated with biofouling process in Indonesian seawaters was still limited. The purpose of this study was to identify biofilm-forming bacteria from biofouling of surface of steel panels exposed in Seawaters of Jakarta Bay and Madura Strait. Steel panels coated either with antifouling or anticorrosion paints were put into sea waters of Jakarta Bay and Madura Strait. Isolation of bacteria was conducted from steel panels fully covered by fouling organisms and on surface without fouling. Confirmation of biofilm-forming activities was performed based on crystal violets-stained bacterial materials on polystyrene well plates. As results, accumulation of macroorganisms and microorganisms was recognized visually on anticorrosion-coated panel that had been put in all observed sea wa...