Abstract
Biofouling organisms secrete adhesive polymers to settle themselves on man-made substrata in the marine environment. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and diatom (Navicula sp.) are both major marine biofoulers. They attach tenaciously to a wide variety of submerged surfaces by virtue of byssus and extracellular polymer substances, respectively. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antifouling potential of the serine protease subtilisin on mussels and benthic diatoms. The effects of enzyme concentration, treatment duration and application time were tested on byssus deposition. The results showed that subtilisin effectively prevented the byssus formation. The reduction rate of byssal plaques was dependent on enzyme concentration and treatment duration. The byssal plaques of Mytilus edulis became progressively less sensitive to hydrolysis as they cured. Attached diatoms on polystyrene substrate were effectively removed by subtilisin.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
