Journal of Materials Chemistry Blog

Cross-linked enzyme aggregates have great potential in marine antifouling paints claim Danish scientists.

Paints with antifouling activity are used in the marine industry to prevent undesirable accumulation of microorganisms, plants and animals on ship surfaces below the waterline. Previously tributyltin self-polishing copolymer (TBT-SPC) paints have been used however they were banned in January 2008 due to environmental regulations.

The main alternatives are copper-based paints but these also cause concern for the environment. Consequently it non-toxic alternatives are desirable which is where enzymes can have a niche explains Stepan Shipovskov at Aarhus University, Denmark.

Environmentally friendly paints for boats use enzymes instead of metals

Enzymes can interact directly with microorganisms on the ships surface but organic solvents, such as xylene, are the main base of paints and can inactivate the enzymes. Shipovskov and co-workers tested cross-linked enzyme aggregates (CLEAs) of proteases in artificial sea water and found that they are tolerant to xylene and have great stability in dried paint. Shipovskov explains that ‘a stabilisation effect occurs due to the covalent linking between enzyme molecules which prevents enzyme inactivation in organic solvents’.

To view the full Highlights in Chemical Science article, please click here: Enzymes – a new ingredient for marine paint?

Link to journal article

Implementation of cross-linked enzyme aggregates of proteases for marine paint applications
Jonas Skovgaard, Charlotte A. Bak, Torben Snabe, Duncan S. Sutherland, Brian S. Laursen, Karsten M. Kragh, Flemming Besenbacher, Charlotte H. Poulsen and Stepan Shipovskov, J. Mater. Chem., 2010, 20, 7626
DOI: 10.1039/c0jm01249a