Silver nanoparticles with anti microfouling effect: a study against marine biofilm forming bacteria

Abstract

Marine biofilms are the preliminary entities due to attachment of bacteria on surfaces immersed in seawater and aggregated in a hydrated polymeric matrix. Such biofilms or microfouling play a major role in the succession of marine biofouling which attracts the larvae of barnacles, mussels and other sessile invertebrates. Different approaches have been used to prevent micro and macrofouling on marine industrial settings. Silver nanoparticles are renowned for their influential antimicrobial activity. On this back drop the present work is focused on the effect of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles against marine biofilm forming bacterial species. Aspects such as circular zone of inhibition, quantification of biofilm formation and bacterial growth were assessed for bacterial species isolated from the marine biofilm in the presence and sabsence of silver nanoparticles. The size of the circular zone formation was directly proportional to the concentration of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles that reflected the antimicrobial effect. The crystal violet staining on biofilm formation and its optical density revealed the effect on biofilm inhibition. The growth of bacteria in the presence and absence of silver nanoparticles concluded the bactericidal ability of the silver nanoparticles. However, further research is required to examine these factors.

Keywords: Antifouling; Marine biofilm; Microfouling; Silver nanoparticles.