Properties of bacterial corrosion of stainless steel and its inhibition by protamine coating.

We investigated characteristics of the corrosion of stainless steel specimens by bacteria and the effects of using antimicrobial coating on the surface for inhibiting corrosion. Bacillus sp. 2-A and Staphylococcus sp. 2-1 cells adhered tightly to a stainless steel SUS304 specimen, formed a microcolony or biofilm, and had highly corrosive activities. Microbially influenced corrosion (MC) was observed under or around adhering cells. However, dead cells were markedly less active than viable cells not only in corroding the specimen but also in adhering to its surface. The culture supernatant was not able to induce the corrosion of SUS304 effectively. A protamine coating on the specimen killed bacterial cells only on its surface, interfered with cell adhesion, and inhibited MC. From these results, adhesion of viable cells to the surface of a SUS304 specimen led to the outbreak of MC. Protamine was also found to be an effective substance tested for protecting the specimen from both cell adhesion and surface MC. We suggest that a protamine coating can be applied as a convenient and inexpensive corrosion prevention method.