Loading...
2 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
- Biofouling inhibition with grafted econea biocide: toward a nonreleasing eco-friendly multiresistant antifouling coatingPublication . Regina Ferreira, Olga; Rijo, Patrícia; Gomes, João; Santos, Ricardo; Monteiro, Silvia; Vilas-Boas, Cátia; Correia-da-Silva, Marta; Almada, Stephanie; Alves, Luis G.; Bordado, João; Silva, Elisabete R.The most effective strategies to control biofouling release toxic and persistent agents into the aquatic environment causing environmental concerns and leading to the implementation of more strict international legislation. This work presents recent progress on an innovative eco-friendly antifouling approach based on the isocyanate-functionalized Econea biocide allowing its chemical fixation in polymeric frameworks, namely, in a foul-release marine coating. The antifouling potential of the generated nonbiocide release coatings for both antimicrobial and long-term marine anti-biofouling applications is reported here for the first time. Inhibition growth effects against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacterium obtained for Econea-based coatings reveal a decrease in the number of colony forming units (CFUs) up to 5 orders of magnitude in 6 h of exposure when compared to the free bacteria. The growth and the viability profiles (CFU/mL) revealed also bacteriostatic effects. The nonbiocide release coatings were able to minimize considerably the biocide release, becoming 10-fold lower than in a conventional releasing system and providing long-lasting antifouling effects, more than two years, under real seawater conditions. Both antifouling effects follow a nonbiocide release strategy leading to a minimization of the environmental impact of the biocidal coatings and the selective pressure on the microorganisms that evolve treatment resistance.
- Antimicrobial ceramic filters for water bio-decontaminationPublication . Regina Ferreira, Olga; Rijo, Patrícia; Gomes, João; Santos, Ricardo; Monteiro, Silvia; Guedes, Rita; Serralheiro, Maria Luisa; Gomes, Marisa; Gomes, Luciana; Mergulhão, Filipe; Silva, Elisabete R.Bio-contamination of water through biofouling, which involves the natural colonization of submerged surfaces by waterborne organisms, is a global socio-economic concern, allied to premature materials bio-corrosion and high human health risks. Most effective strategies release toxic and persistent disinfectant compounds into the aquatic medium, causing environmental problems and leading to more stringent legislation regarding their use. To minimize these side effects, a newly non-biocide-release coating strategy suitable for several polymeric matrices, namely polydimethylsiloxane and polyurethane (PU)-based coatings, was used to generate antimicrobial ceramic filters for water bio-decontamination. The best results, in terms of antimicrobial activity and biocide release, showed an expressed delay and a decrease of up to 66% in the population of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on ceramic filters coated with polyurethane (PU)-based coatings containing grafted Econea biocide, and no evidence of biocide release after being submerged for 45 days in water. Biocidal PU-based surfaces were also less prone to Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formation under flow conditions with an average reduction of 60% after 48 h compared to a pristine PU-based surface. Biocidal coated filters show to be a potential eco-friendly alternative for minimizing the environmental risks associated with biofouling formation in water-based industrial systems.