Insight on the Realizing of Agro-Based Sustainable Low-Cost Fiber Particulate Composite for Thin Film Application in Biofouling Environment

Abstract

Biofouling is a severe problem in the marine environment, as all hard surfaces, including some macroorganisms, mostly get colonized by microorganisms existing in the maritime. In the past, some substances such as tributyltin and mercury have been used to combat this problem. These substances are still toxic and harmful to aquatic lives and even human beings, leading to these substances being banned globally. It is then highly important to produce anti-biofouling substances from natural products, which are sustainable, economical, environmentally friendly and applied on surfaces conveniently. The inspiration for using these natural substances came from the fact that the microorganisms, which are biofoulers, do not get attached or colonized on marine animals such as whales, dolphins and shellfishes. This review highlights some of the advances in natural and agro-based products that have been used as anti-biofouling. These natural substances are corals, fermented milk, pepper, marine biofilms, seaweeds and shellfishes.