Enzyme-based antifouling coatings: a review.

Area of Science:

• Marine biology
• Biotechnology
• Materials science

Background:

• Underwater structures face significant biofouling challenges, impacting performance and maintenance.
• Enzymatic antifouling (AF) offers a promising, potentially eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods.
• Current literature on enzymatic AF technologies requires systematic review to assess progress and identify barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the literature on enzymatic antifouling (AF) protection for underwater structures.
• To evaluate the current state of enzymatic AF technology, including direct and indirect approaches.
• To identify key obstacles hindering the successful development and commercialization of enzymatic AF coatings.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of scientific publications and patents.
• Categorization of enzymatic AF approaches into direct and indirect methods.
• Analysis of technological limitations, including enzyme efficacy, substrate supply, and regulatory aspects.

Main Results:

• Direct enzymatic AF has led to patented technologies and one commercial product, but broad-spectrum efficacy is not yet achieved.
• Indirect enzymatic AF, where enzymes release biocides, is not commercially available.
• Key limitations for indirect AF include unstable substrate supply and unresolved legislative questions regarding biocidal classification of enzyme systems.

Conclusions:

• Enzymatic antifouling presents a developing field with notable progress in direct applications.
• Significant challenges persist in achieving broad-spectrum efficacy and overcoming substrate supply and regulatory issues, particularly for indirect enzymatic AF.
• Further research and development are needed to overcome these obstacles for widespread adoption of enzymatic AF coatings.