Inhibition of marine bacteria by extracts of macroalgae: potential use forenvironmentally friendly antifouling paints

Although a total ban on the use of TBT coatings is not expected in the shor t term, there is a growing need for environmentally safe antifouling system s. A search for new non-toxic antifoulants has been carried out among, mari ne macroalgae. Antifouling activity of aqueous, ethanolic and dichlorometha ne extracts from 30 marine algae from Brittany coast (France) was examined in vitro against 35 isolates of marine bacteria. About 20% of the extracts were found to be active. The high levels of inhibitory activities against b acteria recorded in some extracts and the absence of toxicity on the develo pment of oyster and sea urchin larvae and to mouse fibroblast growth sugges ts a potential for novel active ingredients in antifouling preparations. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.