An Investigation of the Antifouling Potential of Extracts of the Periostracum of Mytilus sp.

This report details the research program investigating the potential antifouling activity of extracts from the periostracum of the marine mussel Mytilus sp.. Previous research has suggested that marine mussels utilise multi-faceted defence mechanisms to ensure their fitness does not suffer due to heavy fouling colonisation on their shells. The shell coating known as the periostracum, is indicated as a possible physical and chemical antifouling defence component. In this study, the periostracum was separated from the shell and extracts of the periostracum obtained by serial extraction with three solvents of increasing polarity. The extracts were tested against common marine fouling organisms: diatoms, bryozoans and barnacle larvae. Considerable activity against marine diatoms and bryozoans was shown by dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts. Initial Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) fingerprinting of the extracts suggests the presence of fatty compounds (potentially triglycerides), hydroxylated groups and aromatics. Further purification by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and NMR analysis would be required to elucidate the structure of the compound responsible for the noted antifouling activity. This would require a significant increase in the amount of mussel periostracum to be acquired.