Antifouling Research Articles

Environmentally friendly anti-biofouling polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors based on imprinted receptors

Polymeric membrane potentiometric sensors using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) receptors are an ideal tool for determination of organic ionic species. However, their applications in complicated samples are very limited because of occurrence of sensor biofouling. Herein, for the first time, we describe a simple but environmentally friendly strategy to improve anti-biofouling performance of MIP-based potentiometric sensors. The non-toxic, environmentally friendly anti-fouling agent is doped into the polymeric membrane. The released organic biocidal agent from the polymeric membrane can kill the microorganisms adhered to the sensing membrane surface, and the formation of biofilms can thus be prevented. As a proof-the-concept experiment, an all-solid-state MIP-based potentiometric ceftiofur sensor is selected as a model. Capsaicin, a naturally occurring alkaloid derived from chillis, is chosen as a non-toxic biocide agent. Another widely used biocide agent 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOIT) with low toxicity is also used as a comparison. Compared to the undoped electrode, the capsaicin-doped MIP sensor exhibits remarkably improved anti-biofouling abilities in terms of the low survival rates and the low adhesion rates of the bacterial cells and microalgae. Especially, the capsaicin-based electrode displays similar anti-fouling and response properties to the DCOIT-based one. It can be anticipated that such anti-fouling strategy may lay the foundation for development of “green” anti-fouling sensors, which are urgently required in marine monitoring and clinical diagnosis.

Construction of copper-functionalized two-dimensional zeolitic imidazole framework-7 (ZIF-7) nanosheets for enhanced antibacterial and antibiofilm performance

Marine biological pollution restricts the sustainable development of marine economy. Cu2O stands as a predominant antifouling agent for developing marine resources engineering. However, the problems of easy aggregation, rapid failure, and explosive release of copper ions limit the practical application of Cu2O. In this work, a novel copper-functionalized two-dimensional zeolitic imidazolate framework-7 nanocomposites ZIF-7@Cu2O was successfully fabricated by in-situ growth methodology. The emergence of ZIF-7@Cu2O nanocomposites solves the above problems in the use of Cu2O. Due to the huge specific surface area of the 2D ZIF-7 nanosheets and the electrostatic interactions, the cubic Cu2O, with a diameter of 250 nm, can be uniformly and firmly anchored on the surface of 2D ZIF-7 nanosheets, thus effectively avoiding the rapid dissolution of cuprous oxide and reducing the release rate of copper ions. Antibacterial experiments demonstrate that, in comparison to ZIF-7, Cu2O, and ZIF-7/Cu2O (physical mixture of ZIF-7 and Cu2O), ZIF-7@Cu2O exhibits superior antibacterial properties with 99.99 % against E. coli and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 32 μg/mL. Furthermore, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay confirms ZIF-7@Cu2O could promote the generation of ROS. Antibiofilm formation results reveal that ZIF-7@Cu2O nanocomposites are effective in preventing biofilm formation of E. coli and P. aeruginosa at a low concentration (50 μg/mL). Finally, ZIF-7@Cu2O nanocomposites are employed as fillers to prepare ZIF-7@Cu2O/EP composite coating, the bactericidal kinetics and bacterial adherence on the coating surface are investigated. We believe this work could provide novel insights into the rational design of 2D ZIF-based material in the field of antifouling.

Multi-scale modified PVDF/Ag@C layer based on dielectric doping and plasma treatment for high-performance triboelectric nanogenerators and self-powered water sterilization

The limitations of dielectric properties and surface electron affinity and the harsh environment including high humidity, high salt content, and biological fouling restricted the efficient ocean energy harvesting of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs). Here, Ag@C dielectric doping and two-step O2+CF4 plasma treatment are applied to achieve multi-scale modification of triboelectric materials. The coating of C shell avoided the agglomeration of Ag NPs. Besides, the amorphous C shell inhibited the formation of electron transport pathways, and the mechanism of suppressing dielectric loss of triboelectric layers were clarified via DFT calculations at the particle (Ag@C)-polymer (polyvinylidene difluoride, PVDF) interface. The surface charge density of plasma treated polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-PVDF/Ag@C-based TENG (PT-TENG) increased from 64.26 µC/m2 to 216.60 µC/m2, representing a significant breakthrough in energy harvesting efficiency. The mechanism of enhanced triboelectric properties was investigated based on modified Overlapped Electron Cloud model. Besides, DFT was applied to analyze the reaction mechanism in depth and predict the products of chemically-surface modification process. The oxygen-containing functional groups introduced by O2 plasma treatment likely serve as a "bridge" for the second-step grafting, which helps to build a more convincing reaction mechanism. The superhydrophobic PVDF/Ag@C exhibited excellent moisture-resistance, salt-resistance, and anti-bioadhensive properties, with outstanding charge density (321.45 µC/m2) at 95% RH, making it very suitable for energy harvesting in harsh marine environments. Moreover, the water sterilization system based on PT-TENG demonstrated a high sterilization rate of 98.74%, which was significantly higher than conventional AC power (89.96%).

Carp-inspired self-regulating marine antifouling coating: Featuring robust controlled release of eugenol and high-efficiency self-healing performance

The practical application of low surface energy polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) in marine antifouling is significantly limited due to its inadequate static antifouling capability. Herein, integrating a strategy inspired by carps to release antifouling agents with the fouling release properties of low surface energy materials, an innovative self-regulating marine antifouling coating (named PDMS-Pun-x) was developed, which demonstrates remarkable robust ability of controlled release of eugenol and efficient self-healing performance. Under seawater, the coating regulates its inherent hydrophilicity and the content of the surface anti-fouling agent to obtain the ability of controlled releasing eugenol. Compared with other self-renewal coatings, there proves non-heavy metal leaching and no internal self-hydrolysis existing. Moreover, based on the synergistic action of disulfide bonds and hydrogen bonds, the coating demonstrated a notable self-healing performance, with a self-healing rate of 94.06%. Additionally, the substrate of PDMS modified with polyurea provides the coating with excellent resistance against corrosion. This study introduces a highly promising approach towards the advancement of environmentally-friendly and durable marine antifouling coatings.

Exploring fishery waste potential as antifouling component.

Marine biofouling is a global issue with economic and ecological implications. Existing solutions, such as biocide-based antifouling paints, are toxic for the environment. The search for better antifouling agents remains crucial. Recent research focuses on eco-friendly antifouling paints containing natural compounds like enzymes. This study evaluates enzymatic extracts from fishery residues for antifouling potential. Extracts from Pleoticus muelleri shrimp, Illex argentinus squid, and Lithodes santolla king crab were analyzed. Proteolytic activity and thermal stability were assessed, followed by bioassays on mussel byssus thread formation and barnacle cypris adhesive footprints. All three extracts demonstrated proteolytic activity and 24-h stability at temperate oceanic temperatures, except I. argentinus. P. muelleri extracts hindered cyprid footprint formation and mussel byssus thread generation. Further purification is required for L. santolla extract to assess its antifouling potential activity. This study introduces the use of fishery waste-derived enzyme extracts as a novel antifouling agent, providing a sustainable tool to fight against biofouling formation.

Sulfated phenolic polymers as non-toxic antifouling agents

Nature-inspired highly sulfated bioactive polyphenols are recently emerging as antifouling agents with low or non-toxic effects to the environment representing a valuable alternative to the most used harmful biocides. In this frame, we report herein the preparation of sulfated derivatives of two phenolic polymers of tyrosol and gallic acid previously obtained via a convenient horseradish peroxidase/H2O2-catalyzed oxidation process. A mild sulfation procedure based on the use of sulfur trioxide triethylamine complex under microwave irradiation afforded the corresponding sulfated polymers OligoTyrS and OligoGallS in good yields (90–95 % w/w). Elemental analysis, FT-IR and MALDI-MS investigation provided evidence for an almost complete sulfation of the –OH groups. In line with a high degree of sulfation, OligoTyrS and OligoGallS exhibited lower antioxidant properties compared to the non-sulfated polymers as evaluated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and ferric reducing/antioxidant power assays. In contrast to the non-sulfated polymers, OligoTyrS and OligoGallS showed a significant inhibitory effect against the settlement of mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) plantigrade without lethality effects and without affecting the selected biofilm-forming organisms like five marine bacteria and a diatom. Both sulfated polymers were also found to be non-toxic to the non-target species Artemia salina. The overall results presented herein put forward the potential of non-natural sulfated phenolic polymers as new non-toxic antifouling agents.

Tannic acid self-aggregation and adsorption onto a polyethersulfone membrane: An all-atom molecular dynamics study

Atomic scale modeling is crucial for characterizing the interactions responsible for fouling, which is a major limitation in the use of membrane filtration technologies for the recovery of polyphenols. In this work, a methodology to model a porous ultrafiltration polyethersulfone (PES) membrane is presented. Subsequently, various systems containing tannic acid (TA) molecules at different concentrations (9 or 30 g/L) were studied, with two additional systems incorporating a PES membrane, through 100 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. The results show that up to 90% of the TAs are self-aggregated, associated with the formation of intermolecular H-bond and π-stacking interactions. Furthermore, adsorption of 48–67% of the TAs onto PES was observed. TA-PES H-bond and π-stacking interactions are also formed. The number of adsorbed TAs molecules over time and the evolution of the mean size of TA aggregates exhibits similar temporal trends, suggesting a parallel progression in both phenomena. Moreover, the same atoms were involved in both aggregation and adsorption, leading to the conclusion that the two phenomena compete. These results shed light on the fouling mechanism, which appears to occur through the formation of a cake layer combined with adsorptive fouling, and could support the design of new antifouling agents adapted for polyphenol filtration.

Short-term responses of temperate and subarctic marine diatoms to Irgarol 1051 and UV radiation: Insights into temperature interactions.

Phytoplankton face numerous pressures resulting from chemical and physical stressors, primarily induced by human activities. This study focuses on investigating the interactive effects of widely used antifouling agent Irgarol 1051 and UV radiation on the photo-physiology of marine diatoms from diverse latitudes, within the context of global warming. Our findings clearly shown that both Irgarol and UV radiation have a significant inhibitory impact on the photochemical performance of the three diatoms examined, with Irgarol treatment exhibiting more pronounced effects. In the case of the two temperate zone diatoms, we observed a decrease in the inhibition induced by Irgarol 1051 and UVR as the temperature increased up to 25°C. Similarly, for the subarctic species, an increase in temperature resulted in a reduction in the inhibition caused by Irgarol and UVR. These results suggest that elevated temperatures can mitigate the short-term inhibitory effects of both Irgarol and UVR on diatoms. Furthermore, our data indicate that increased temperature could significantly interact with UVR or Irgarol for temperate diatoms, while this was not the case for cold water diatoms, indicating temperate and subarctic diatoms may respond differentially under global warming.

Construction of a Soft Antifouling PAA/PSBMA Hydrogel Coating with High Toughness and Low Swelling through the Dynamic Coordination Bonding Provided by Al(OH)3 Nanoparticles.

Marine biofouling, resulting from the adhesion of marine organisms to ship surfaces, has long been a significant issue in the maritime industry. In this paper, we focused on utilizing soft and hydrophilic hydrogels as a potential approach for antifouling (AF) coatings. Acrylic acid (AA) with a polyelectrolyte effect and N-(3-sulfopropyl)-N-(methacryloxyethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium betaine (SBMA) with an antipolyelectrolyte effect were selected as monomers. By adjusting the monomer ratio, we were able to create hydrogel coatings that exhibited low swelling ratio in both fresh water and seawater. The Al(OH)3 nanoparticle, as a physical cross-linker, provided better mechanical properties (higher tensile strength and larger elongation at break) than the chemical cross-linker through the dynamic coordination bonds and plentiful hydrogen bonds. Additionally, we incorporated trehalose into the hydrogel, enabling the repair of the hydrogel network through covalent-like hydrogen bonding. The zwitterion compound SBMA endowed the hydrogel with excellent AF performance. It was found that the highest SBMA content did not lead to the best antibacterial performance, as bacterial adhesion quantity was also influenced by the charge of the hydrogel. The hydrogel with appropriate SBMA content being close to electrical neutrality exhibits the strongest zwitterionic property of PSBMA chains, resulting in the best antibacterial adhesion performance. Furthermore, the pronounced hydrophilicity of SBMA enhanced the lubrication of the hydrogel surface, thereby reducing the friction resistance when applied to the hull surface during ship navigation.

Biological performance and membrane fouling of a microalgal-bacterial membrane photobioreactor for wastewater treatment without external aeration and carbonation

Biological nutrient removal processes involving the use of activated sludge (AS) to treat municipal wastewater normally result in high aeration energy consumption and significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Therefore, developing cost-efficient and environmentally friendly processes for wastewater treatment is vital. In this work, a novel non-aerated microalgal-bacterial membrane photobioreactor (MB-MPBR) was proposed, and its feasibility for organic contaminant and nutrient removals was evaluated, for the first time. The effects of inoculation ratio (microalgae to bacteria (M/B)) on the biological performance and membrane fouling were systematically investigated. The results showed that 95.9% of the chemical oxygen demand (COD), 74.5% of total nitrogen (TN), 98.5% of NH4+-N and 42.0% of total phosphorus (TP) were removed at an inoculation M/B ratio of 3:2 at steady state, representing a significant improvement compared to the M/B inoculation ratio of 1:3. Additionally, the higher inoculation M/B ratio (3:2) significantly promoted the biomass production owing to the favorable mutual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between microalgae and bacteria. Cake layer formation was the primary fouling mechanism owing to the absence of aeration scouring on the membrane surface. The membrane fouling rate was slightly higher at the higher inoculation ratio (M/B = 3:2) owing to the increased biomass and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) productions, despite the larger particle size. These results demonstrated that the non-aerated MB-MPBR could achieve superior biological performance, of which the inoculation M/B ratio was of critical importance for the initiation and maintenance of microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system, yet possibly caused severer membrane fouling in the absence of external aeration and carbonation. This study provides a new perspective for further optimizing and applying non-aerated MB-MPBR to enhance municipal wastewater treatment.

Advanced strategies for marine antifouling based on nanomaterial-enhanced functional PDMS coatings

Marine biofouling seriously affects human marine exploitation and transportation activities, to which marine antifouling (AF) coatings are considered to be the most cost-effective solution. Since the mid-20th century, human beings have dedicated their efforts on developing AF coatings with long cycle and high performance, leading to a large number of non-target organisms' distortion, death and marine environmental pollution. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), is considered as one of the representative environment-friendly AF materials thanks to its non-toxic, hydrophobic, low surface energy and AF properties. However, PDMS AF coatings are prone to mechanical damage, weak adhesion strength to substrate, and poor static AF effect, which seriously restrict their use in the ocean. The rapid development of various nanomaterials provides an opportunity to enhance and improve the mechanical properties and antifouling properties of PDMS coating by embedding nanomaterials. Based on our research background and the problems faced in our laboratory, this article presents an overview of the current progress in the fields of PDMS composite coatings enhanced by different nanomaterials, with the discussion focused on the advantages and main bottlenecks currently encountered in this field. Finally, we propose an outlook, hoping to provide fundamental guidance for the development of marine AF field.

In vitro and in vivo assessment of antimicrobial, enzymatic, and antifouling properties of self-potent lichen symbiotic bacteria.

This study aimed to comprehensively assess the antimicrobial, antifouling, and antibiofilm-forming potential of lichen symbiotic bacteria against marine fouling bacterial strains. A total of 50 lichen-associated bacteria (LAB) isolates were successfully characterized and evaluated for their effectiveness in mitigating biofouling caused by various marine biofoulers. Through a battery of biological assays encompassing enzymatic, antagonistic, antimicrobial, and antifouling assays, 15 LAB isolates were identified based on their antagonist activities. Notably, the strain LAB4 exhibited remarkable performance across all bioassays, demonstrating its proficiency as an antifouling agent. The production of crude LAB extracts was successfully scaled up using a large-scale fermentor and further optimized. Additionally, a phylogenetic analysis of the isolated strain Bacillus proteolyticus D65's 16S ribosomal RNA gene revealed a high query coverage and percentage identity of 92.62% (accession no. MK883171.1). In conclusion, the lichen bacterial symbiotic isolate B. proteolyticus exhibited significant in vitro and in vivo inhibition of foulants. This study highlights the potential of lichens as a valuable source of yet unexplored bacteria. The bacterial consortium associated with Parmotrema sp. holds promise in combatting biofouling, which poses a substantial threat to the maritime industries and their economic stability.

A superior anti-fouling electrode sensing layer based on a tannic acid–polyethyleneimine–graphene oxide nanocomposite for thrombin detection in complex biological fluids

Affinity-peptide-based electrochemical sensors have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional methods because of their superior stability, chemical adaptability, and selectivity. However, their rapid loss of sensitivity caused by inactivation of the electrode surface and biological fouling has hindered their further development. To address this issue, we fabricated a sensitive and selective bifunctional peptide-based electrochemical sensor that enables thrombin detection in complex biological fluids. To achieve this, we incorporated a nanohybrid hydrogel composed of cross-linked polyphenol (tannic acid, TA) and polyamine (polyethyleneimine, PEI) co-deposition systems containing a nanomaterial (graphene oxide, GO) into the biosensor as an anti-fouling layer. The TA-PEI-GO nanohybrid hydrogel enhanced the electron transfer process and selectivity of the biosensor, while preventing the adsorption of non-specific biomolecules. As a result, the stability of the electrode surface was improved, and functionalization of the active sites for engineered peptides was achieved in a highly oriented manner. The stability, simplicity, and ease of preparation of this nanohybrid hydrogel render it a suitable candidate for the fabrication of electrochemical biosensors that can function in complex biological fluids. The developed biosensor has the potential to facilitate the diagnosis and prognosis of coagulation disorder-related diseases, which would have a positive effect on public health.

Adults of Sun Coral Tubastraea coccinea (Lesson 1829) Are Resistant to New Antifouling Biocides.

Biocides used in antifouling (AF) paints, such as 4,5-dichlorine-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazole-3-one (DCOIT), can gradually leach into the environment. Some AF compounds can persist in the marine environment and cause harmful effects to non-target organisms. Nanoengineered materials, such as mesoporous silica nanocapsules (SiNCs) containing AF compounds, have been developed to control their release rate and reduce their toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of new nanoengineered materials, SiNC-DCOIT and a silver-coated form (SiNC-DCOIT-Ag), as well as the free form of DCOIT and empty nanocapsules (SiNCs), on the sun coral Tubastraea coccinea. T. coccinea is an invasive species and can be an alternative test organism for evaluating the risks to native species, as most native corals are currently threatened. The colonies were collected from the Alcatrazes Archipelago, SP, Brazil, and acclimatized to laboratory conditions. They were exposed for 96 h to different concentrations of the tested substances: 3.33, 10, 33, and 100 µg L-1 of free DCOIT; 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 µg L-1 of SiNC; and 74.1, 222.2, 666.7, and 2000 µg L-1 of SiNC-DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT-Ag. The test chambers consisted of 500 mL flasks containing the test solutions, and the tests were maintained under constant aeration, a constant temperature of 23 ± 2 °C, and photoperiod of 12 h:12 h (light/dark). At the end of the experiments, no lethal effect was observed; however, some sublethal effects were noticeable, such as the exposure of the skeleton in most of the concentrations and replicates, except for the controls, and embrittlement at higher concentrations. Adults of T. coccinea were considered slightly sensitive to the tested substances. This resistance may indicate a greater capacity for proliferation in the species, which is favored in substrates containing antifouling paints, to the detriment of the native species.

Novel metabolite madeirone and neomarinone extracted from Streptomyces aculeoletus as marine antibiofilm and antifouling agents.

Introduction: Biofouling poses a significant economic threat to various marine industries, leading to financial losses that can reach billions of euros annually. This study highlights the urgent need for effective alternatives to traditional antifouling agents, particularly following the global ban on organotin compounds. Material and methods: Streptomyces aculeolatus PTM-346 was isolated from sediment samples on the shores of the Madeira Archipelago, Portugal. The crude extract was fractionated using silica flash chromatography and preparative HPLC, resulting in two isolated marinone compounds: madeirone (1), a novel marinone derivative discovered in this study, and neomarinone (2). The antifouling activities of these compounds were tested against five marine bacterial species and the larvae of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. Additionally, in silico and in vivo environmental toxicity evaluations of madeirone (1) and neomarinone (2) were conducted. Results: Madeirone (1) demonstrated significant antibiofilm efficacy, inhibiting Phaeobacter inhibens by up to 66%, Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus by up to 60%, and Cobetia marina by up to 40%. Neomarinone (2) also exhibited substantial antibiofilm activity, with inhibition rates of up to 41% against P. inhibens, 40% against Pseudo-oceanicola batsensis, 56% against M. hydrocarbonoclasticus, 46% against C. marina, and 40% against Micrococcus luteus. The growth inhibition activity at the same concentrations of these compounds remained below 20% for the respective bacteria, highlighting their effectiveness as potent antibiofilm agents without significantly affecting bacterial viability. Additionally, both compounds showed potent effects against the settlement of Mytilus galloprovincialis larvae, with EC50 values of 1.76µg/mL and 0.12µg/mL for compounds (1) and (2), respectively, without impairing the viability of the targeted macrofouling species. In silico toxicity predictions and in vivo toxicity assays both support their potential for further development as antifouling agents. Conclusion: The newly discovered metabolite madeirone (1) and neomarinone (2) effectively inhibit both micro- and macrofouling. This distinct capability sets them apart from existing commercial antifouling agents and positions them as promising candidates for biofouling prevention. Consequently, these compounds represent a viable and environmentally friendly alternative for incorporation into paints, primers, varnishes, and sealants, offering significant advantages over traditional copper-based compounds.

Biomimetic haloperoxidases for antifouling on the surface of marine materials: a review

Biological fouling has brought many adverse effects on human production and life since ancient times, and human beings have not stopped exploring the road of pollution control. The toxicity of...

Examining the Effects of Bio Fouling on Ships and How It Contributes to the Introduction of Non-native Species in Newly Discovered Coastal Areas in Bio Fouling on Ship Hulls and Its Ecological Ramification

Examining the Effects of Bio Fouling on Ships and How It Contributes to the Introduction of Non-native Species in Newly Discovered Coastal Areas in Bio Fouling on Ship Hulls and Its Ecological Ramification

Construction of highly hydrated and mechanically strong anti-fouling coatings for deep-sea probes based on poly(vinyl alcohol) tannic acid zwitterion coatings

Deep-sea exploration equipment is adherent to biofouling which affects its accuracy, and traditional self-renewing hydrogel coatings are no longer suitable for use on precision instruments due to the release of antifouling agents.

Copper pyrithione and zinc pyrithione induce cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity in neuronal/astrocytic co-cultured cells via oxidative stress

Previous studies on copper pyrithione (CPT) and zinc pyrithione (ZPT) as antifouling agents have mainly focused on marine organisms. Even though CPT and ZPT pose a risk of human exposure, their neurotoxic effects remain to be elucidated. Therefore, in this study, the cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity of CPT and ZPT were evaluated after the exposure of human SH-SY5Y/astrocytic co-cultured cells to them. The results showed that, in a co-culture model, CPT and ZPT induced cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner (~ 400 nM). Exposure to CPT and ZPT suppressed all parameters in the neurite outgrowth assays, including neurite length. In particular, exposure led to neurotoxicity at concentrations with low or no cytotoxicity (~ 200 nM). It also downregulated the expression of genes involved in neurodevelopment and maturation and upregulated astrocyte markers. Moreover, CPT and ZPT induced mitochondrial dysfunction and promoted the generation of reactive oxygen species. Notably, N-acetylcysteine treatment showed neuroprotective effects against CPT- and ZPT-mediated toxicity. We concluded that oxidative stress was the major mechanism underlying CPT- and ZPT-induced toxicity in the co-cultured cells.

Preparation of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane coated natural additives toward antifouling and antimicrobial agents for surface water filtration

Chitosan (CS) and polyphenon 60 from green tea (PGT) as natural additives were used in the preparation of antifouling and antibacterial polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes via the surface coating method. The effect of additive coating on fouling resistance and antibacterial properties were evaluated. The membrane characterizations were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, and surface hydrophilicity by contact angle. The results showed that the optimized modified membrane (1 wt% CS/3 wt% PGT-coated PES, denoted as CS1PGT3) demonstrated better hydrophilicity than the pristine PES membrane. In addition, the CS1PGT3 membrane exhibited high BSA rejection (99.99%), relatively high flux recovery (78.78%), and the highest water flux (46.83 L/m2.h) among all modified PES membranes. After the CS1PGT3 membrane was immersed in different soaking solutions (i.e., acid, alkaline, and neutral) for 21 days, the stability of CS and PGT groups on the PES membrane was also confirmed. Moreover, during examination using surface water filtration, the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, and aromatic compounds were increased from 64.30%, 34.23%, and 62.78% to 88.22%, 64.18%, and 84.21%, respectively. The largest inhibition zone diameter (7.83 mm of E. coli) and highest antibacterial efficiency (99% of E. coli) were achieved, suggesting the outstanding antibacterial properties of the optimized modified membrane. Thus, the incorporation of CS/PGT into PES membrane via the surface coating showed promising method to enhance antifouling and antibacterial properties.