Chemical diversity in some biofouling organisms from the western coastal waters of Sri Lanka

Abstract

ABSTRACTSri Lanka occupies a strategic position in the Indian Ocean, making the surrounding ocean one of the busiest in the region. The lack of fundamental studies has created a void regarding the physical and chemical behaviour of the fouling community. A few studies have been conducted to assess the subtidal biofouling communities and invasive threats in key ports and surrounding coastal waters. This study explores the chemical diversity and environmental resilience of nine marine macrofouling organisms through secondary metabolite-induced impacts on biofilm formation and volatile component analysis. The anti-settlement assay revealed thatSchizoporella errata, Botrylloides violaceus, Callyspongia diffusa, andAcanthella cavernosashowed significant resistance againstEscherichia colisettlement within the first 12 h (OD600< 0.1). The identification of known compounds with a higher degree of antimicrobial activity, such as dodecanoic acid, methyl palmitate, β-caryophyllene and β-asarone, further supports the findings of anti-settlement activity of macrofouling organisms and likely plays a role in environmental resilience.