Potential of synthetic chalcone derivatives to prevent marine biofouling

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2018

Authors

Almeida, JR (Author) Other; Moreira, J (Author) Other; Pereira, D (Author) Other; Pereira, S (Author) Other; Antunes, J (Author) Other; Palmeira, A (Author) FFUP; Vitor Vasconcelos (Author) FCUP; Pinto, M (Author) Other; Marta Correia da Silva (Author) FFUP; Honorina Cidade (Author) FFUP

Journal

Title: Science of the Total Environment

Vol. 643

Pages: 98-106

ISSN: 0048-9697

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 37 Citations

Scopus - 45 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00P-MJQ

DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.169

Abstract (EN): Biofouling represents a major economic, environmental and health concern for which new eco-friendly solutions are needed. International legislation has restricted the use of biocidal-based antifouling coatings, and increasing efforts have been applied in the search for environmentally friendly antifouling agents. This research work deals with the assessment of the interest of a series of synthetic chalcone derivatives for antifouling applications. Sixteen chalcone derivatives were synthesized with moderate yields (38-85%). Antifouling bioactivity of these compounds was assessed at different levels of biological organization using both anti-macrofouling and anti-microfouling bioassays, namely an anti-settlement assay using mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) larvae, as well as marine bacteria and microalgal biofilms growth inhibition bioassays. Results showed that three compounds (11, 12, and 16) were particularly active against the settlement of mussel larvae (EC50 7.24-34.63 mu M), being compounds 12 and 16 also able to inhibit the growth of microfouling species (EC50 4.09-20.31 mu M). Moreover, the most potent compounds 12 and 16 were found to be non-toxic to the non-target species Artemia salina (<10% mortality at 25 mu M). A quantitative structure-activity relationship model predicted that descriptors describing the ability of molecules to form hydrogen bonds and encoding the shape, branching ratio and constitutional diversity of the molecule were implied in the antifouling activity against the settlement of mussel larvae. This work elucidates for the first time the relevance of synthesizing chalcone derivatives to generate new nontoxic products to prevent marine biofouling.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9