Aims: Biofouling is a common biology phenomenon occuring on ship surface. This phenomenon has become serious threat in marine industries because of great economic loss. Tributyltin has been used to prevent biofouling, but it turned to cause the environmental problem. Therefore, the discovery of alternative environment-friendly compound is necessarily needed. Methodology and results: Five Actinobacteria isolates and fourteen marine bacteria isolates were tested against the biofilm formation of eight biofouling bacteria isolates that isolated from boat surface and the attachment of three biofouling diatoms (Amphora, Navicula, Nitzschia). Actinobacteria CW17 supernatant showed the broad spectrum activity against all fouling bacteria, whereas BC 11-5 supernatant was the only marine bacteria that capable to inhibit biofilm formation of V. neocaledonicus. Moreover, three representative diatoms attachment could be inhibited by the bioactive compounds produced by Actinobacteria and marine bacteria. CW01 supernatant showed broad spectrum and high activity against all three representative diatoms which is very promising. Molecular identification based on 16S rDNA gene sequence showed eight fouling bacteria isolates were biofilm-forming bacteria. Conclusions, significance and impact of study: This research showed aquatic Actinobacteria and coral-associated marine bacteria have the potential to prevent biofouling formation. Further studies are needed to purify and characterize these antibiofouling compounds for environmental application.
Biofouling ; Biofilms

BACKGROUND

Ports are susceptible to the arrival of non-indigenous species (NIS) which can subsequently become invasive through maritime traffic. In the Philippines, few studies have been conducted about macrofouling communities in marine vessel-frequented areas. Batangas Port is an international port serving the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, and docks vessels from areas around the globe. Baseline information of fouling communities in this area is essential as this can allow detection of NIS and alert the community about their presence. It can serve as basis for crafting of guidelines and mitigation measures for possible scenarios regarding the NIS' invasive potential.

METHODOLOGY

Three sampling sites in close proximity to Batangas Port in Brgy. Sta. Clara, Batangas City were studied using biofouling collectors. Fouler collector design was adapted from the North Pacific Marine Sciences Organization (PICES) design. Collectors were deployed in an unused pier, aquaculture pond and mangrove area from November 2014 to January 2015. Retrieved biofoulers were identified using taxonomic keys, and diversity indices were computed.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 1044 individuals were collected in the plates submerged at the sampling sites. These organisms belonged to six phyla and at least nine classes. The community included bivalves, gastropods, polychaetes, and tunicates. A nonindigenous polychaete, Eumida sanguinea, was detected in the retrieval. Values of biodiversity indices indicate low biodiversity, and species evenness values are low as well.

CONCLUSION

The study generated a baseline listing of organisms in the port area and showed a roster of indigenous invertebrates. However, a NIS has been detected. The list is essential as it can be used to alert communities surrounding the port about the presence of NIS so that ecological, economic, and health impacts can be minimized, and monitoring be done regularly.

Animals ; Biofouling ; Invasive Species ; Introduced Species

OBJECTIVETo compare the membrane filtration process of four membrane modules namely, FMX rotating disk flat membrane module, hollow fiber membrane module, tubular membrane module and filter cup membrane module, with traditional Chinese medicine compound Huanglian Jiedu decoction as the experimental subject.

METHODUnder the same experimental operating conditions, the four membrane modules in membrane filtration process of Huanglian Jiedu decoction were compared in terms flux, resistance distribution, transmittance of index components and membrane fouling.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThree membrane modules in the dynamic filtration form--FMX rotating disk flat membrane module, hollow fiber membrane module and tubular membrane module had more advantages than filter cup membrane module in the static dead-end filtration form in terms of permeate flux, transmittance of index components and membrane fouling. However, FMX membrane module that made the fluid in a strong vortex status had better performance than hollow fiber membrane and tubular membrane module in permeate flux and membrane fouling.

Biofouling ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Filtration ; instrumentation ; Membranes, Artificial ; Permeability