Chemical composition and biofilm inhibition potential of selected biofouling organisms from coastal waters of western Sri Lanka

Abstract

There is limited knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of the biofouling organisms in the coastal waters surrounding Sri Lanka. This study investigates the chemical diversity and environmental resilience of nine species of marine macrofouling organisms through secondary metabolite-induced effects on biofilm formation. The anti-settlement assay revealed that Schizoporella errata, Botrylloides violaceus, Callyspongia diffusa, Halichondria panicea and Acanthella cavernosa showed significant resistance to Escherichia coli settlement and biofilm formation within the first 12 h (OD₆₀₀ < 0.1). Following gas chromatographic and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, antimicrobial compounds such as dodecanoic acid, methyl palmitate, β-caryophyllene, hentriacontane geraniol and β-asarone were detected in these species.