Preventing ascidian fouling in aquaculture: screening selected allelochemicals for anti-metamorphic properties in ascidian larvae

Deciphering protein-mediated underwater adhesion in an invasive biofouling ascidian: Discovery, validation, and functional mechanism of an interfacial protein

Discovering macromolecules and understanding the associated mechanisms involved in underwater adhesion are essential for both studying the fundamental ecology of benthos in aquatic ecosystems and developing biomimetic adhesive materials in industries. Here, we employed quantitative proteomics to assess protein expression variations during the development of the distinct adhesive structure - stolon in the model fouling ascidian, Ciona robusta. We found 16 adhesive protein candidates with increased expression in the stolon, with ascidian adhesive protein 1 (AAP1) being particularly rich in adhesion-related signal peptides, amino acids, and functional domains. Western blot and immunolocalization analyses confirmed the prominent AAP1 signals in the mantle, tunic, stolon, and adhesive footprints, indicating the interfacial role of this protein. Surface coating and atomic force microscopy experiments verified AAP1's adhesion to diverse materials, likely through the specific electrostatic and hydrophobic amino acid interactions with various substrates. In addition, molecular docking calculations indicated the AAP1's potential for cross-linking via hydrogen bonds and salt bridges among Von Willebrand factor type A domains, enhancing its adhesion capability. Altogether, the newly discovered interfacial protein responsible for permanent underwater adhesion, along with the elucidated adhesion mechanisms, are expected to contribute to the development of biomimetic adhesive materials and anti-fouling strategies. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Discovering macromolecules and studying their associated mechanisms involved in underwater adhesion are essential for understanding the fundamental ecology of benthos in aquatic ecosystems and developing innovative bionic adhesive materials in various industries. Using multidisciplinary analytical methods, we identified an interfacial protein - Ascidian Adhesive Protein 1 (AAP1) from the model marine fouling ascidian, Ciona robusta. The interfacial functions of AAP1 are achieved by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, and the Von Willebrand factor type A domain-based cross-linking likely enhances AAP1's interfacial adhesion. The identification and validation of the interfacial functions of AAP1, combined with the elucidation of adhesion mechanisms, present a promising target for the development of biomimetic adhesive materials and the formulation of effective anti-fouling strategies.

Creating New Antifoulants Using the Tools and Tactics of Medicinal Chemistry

The unwanted accumulation of marine micro- and macroorganisms such as algae and barnacles on submerged man-made structures and vessel hulls is a major challenge for any marine operation. Known as biofouling, this problem leads to reduced hydrodynamic efficiency, significantly increased fuel usage, microbially induced corrosion, and, if not managed appropriately, eventual loss of both performance and structural integrity. Ship hull biofouling in the international maritime transport network conservatively accounts for 0.6% of global carbon emissions, highlighting the global scale and the importance of this problem. Improved antifouling strategies to limit surface colonization are paramount for essential activities such as shipping, aquaculture, desalination, and the marine renewable energy sector, representing both a multibillion dollar cost and a substantial practical challenge. From an ecological perspective, biofouling is a primary contributor to the global spread of invasive marine species, which has extensive implications for the marine environment.Historically, heavy metal-based toxic biocides have been used to control biofouling. However, their unwanted collateral ecological damage on nontarget species and bioaccumulation has led to recent global bans. With expanding human activities within aquaculture and offshore energy, it is both urgent and apparent that environmentally friendly surface protection remains key for maintaining the function of both moving and stationary marine structures. Biofouling communities are typically a highly complex network of both micro- and macroorganisms, representing a broad section of life from bacteria to macrophytes and animals. Given this diversity, it is unrealistic to expect that a single antifouling "silver bullet" will prevent colonization with the exception of generally toxic biocides. For that reason, modern and future antifouling solutions are anticipated to rely on novel coating technologies and "combination therapies" where mixtures of narrow-spectrum bioactive components are used to provide coverage across fouling species. In contrast to the existing cohort of outdated, toxic antifouling strategies, such as copper- and tributyltin-releasing paints, modern drug discovery techniques are increasingly being employed for the rational design of effective yet safe alternatives. The challenge for a medicinal chemistry approach is to effectively account for the large taxonomic diversity among fouling organisms combined with a lack of well-defined conserved molecular targets within most taxa.The current Account summarizes our work employing the tools of modern medicinal chemistry to discover, modify, and develop optimized and scalable antifouling solutions based on naturally occurring antifouling and repelling compounds from both marine and terrestrial sources. Inspiration for rational design comes from targeted studies on allelopathic natural products, natural repelling peptides, and secondary metabolites from sessile marine organisms with clean exteriors, which has yielded several efficient and promising antifouling leads.

Thyroid-like hormone signaling in invertebrates and its potential role in initial screening of thyroid hormone system disrupting chemicals

This review examines the presence and evolution of thyroid-like systems in selected aquatic invertebrates to determine the potential use of these organisms in screens for vertebrate thyroid hormone axis disrupting chemicals (THADCs). Such a screen might support the phasing out of some vertebrate testing. Although arthropods including crustaceans do not contain a functional thyroid signaling system, elements of such a system exist in the aquatic phyla mollusks, echinoderms, tunicates, and cephalochordates. These phyla can synthesize thyroid hormone, which has been demonstrated in some groups to induce the nuclear thyroid hormone receptor (THR). Thyroid hormone may act in these phyla through interaction with a membrane integrin receptor. Thyroid hormone regulates inter alia metamorphosis but, unlike in vertebrates, this does not occur via receptor activation by the ligands triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Instead, the unliganded nuclear receptor itself controls metamorphosis in mollusks, echinoderms, and tunicates, whereas the T3 derivative tri-iodothyroacetic acid (TRIAC) acts as a THR ligand in cephalochordates. In view of this, it may be possible to develop an invertebrate-based screen that is sensitive to vertebrate THADCs that interfere with thyroid hormone synthesis or metabolism along with interaction with membrane receptors. The review makes some recommendations for the need to develop an appropriate test method. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:63-82. © 2022 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Toward integrated pest management in bivalve aquaculture

Pests of bivalve aquaculture are a challenging problem that can reduce productivity, profitability and sustainability. A range of pest management approaches have been developed for bivalve aquaculture, but a general absence of guiding frameworks has limited the scale and permanency of implementation. Applying principles of 'integrated pest management' (IPM) could change this paradigm to improve economic and environmental outcomes. We reviewed existing research and tools for pest management in bivalve aquaculture, with studies grouped under five pillars of IPM: pest ecology (25 studies), bioeconomic cost-benefits (4 studies), continual monitoring (17 studies), proactive prevention (32 studies) and reactive control (65 studies). This body of knowledge, along with insights from terrestrial agriculture, provide a strong foundation for developing and implementing IPM in bivalve aquaculture. For example, IPM principles have been applied by a regional collective of oyster farmers in the US Pacific Northwest to optimize pesticide application and search for other options to control problematic burrowing shrimps. However, IPM has not yet been broadly applied in aquaculture, and data gaps and barriers to implementation need to be addressed. Priorities include establishing meaningful pest-crop bioeconomic relationships for various bivalve farming systems and improving the efficacy and operational scale of treatment approaches. An IPM framework also could guide potential step-change improvements through directing selective breeding for resistance to pests, development of bespoke chemical control agents, applying emerging technologies for remote surveillance and farm management, and regional alignment of management interventions. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Biofouling in marine aquaculture: a review of recent research and developments

Biofouling in marine aquaculture is one of the main barriers to efficient and sustainable production. Owing to the growth of aquaculture globally, it is pertinent to update previous reviews to inform management and guide future research. Here, the authors highlight recent research and developments on the impacts, prevention and control of biofouling in shellfish, finfish and seaweed aquaculture, and the significant gaps that still exist in aquaculturalists' capacity to manage it. Antifouling methods are being explored and developed; these are centred on harnessing naturally occurring antifouling properties, culturing fouling-resistant genotypes, and improving farming strategies by adopting more sensitive and informative monitoring and modelling capabilities together with novel cleaning equipment. While no simple, quick-fix solutions to biofouling management in existing aquaculture industry situations have been developed, the expectation is that effective methods are likely to evolve as aquaculture develops into emerging culture scenarios, which will undoubtedly influence the path for future solutions.

To treat or not to treat: a quantitative review of the effect of biofouling and control methods in shellfish aquaculture to evaluate the necessity of removal

The global growth of farmed shellfish production has resulted in considerable research investigating how biofouling compromises farm productivity. Shellfish fitness can be compared between fouled stock and stock which has undergone treatment. As treatment options are often harsh, they may deleteriously affect stock. The projected impact of biofouling may therefore be confounded by the impact of treatments. Given the substantial cost of fouling removal, some have questioned the necessity of biofouling mitigation strategies. Meta-analysis revealed that biofouling typically reduces shellfish fitness. However, the fitness of treated stock was often lower or equal to fouled control stock, indicating that many common antifouling (AF) strategies are ineffective at enhancing farm productivity. Overall, caution and diligence are required to successfully implement biofouling mitigation strategies. The need remains for increased passive prevention approaches and novel AF strategies suitable for shellfish culture, such as strategic siting of bivalve farms in areas of low biofouling larval supply.

Review on Molecular Mechanisms of Antifouling Compounds: An Update since 2012

Better understanding of the mechanisms of antifouling compounds is recognized to be of high value in establishing sensitive biomarkers, allowing the targeted optimization of antifouling compounds and guaranteeing environmental safety. Despite vigorous efforts to find new antifouling compounds, information about the mechanisms of antifouling is still scarce. This review summarizes the progress into understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying antifouling activity since 2012. Non-toxic mechanisms aimed at specific targets, including inhibitors of transmembrane transport, quorum sensing inhibitors, neurotransmission blockers, adhesive production/release inhibitors and enzyme/protein inhibitors, are put forward for natural antifouling products or shelf-stable chemicals. Several molecular targets show good potential for use as biomarkers in future mechanistic screening, such as acetylcholine esterase for neurotransmission, phenoloxidase/tyrosinase for the formation of adhesive plaques, N-acyl homoserine lactone for quorum sensing and intracellular Ca²⁺ levels as second messenger. The studies on overall responses to challenges by antifoulants can be categorized as general targets, including protein expression/metabolic activity regulators, oxidative stress inducers, neurotransmission blockers, surface modifiers, biofilm inhibitors, adhesive production/release inhibitors and toxic killing. Given the current situation and the knowledge gaps regarding the development of alternative antifoulants, a basic workflow is proposed that covers the indispensable steps, including preliminary mechanism- or bioassay-guided screening, evaluation of environmental risks, field antifouling performance, clarification of antifouling mechanisms and the establishment of sensitive biomarkers, which are combined to construct a positive feedback loop.

Probing the Structure-Activity Relationship of the Natural Antifouling Agent Polygodial against both Micro- and Macrofoulers by Semisynthetic Modification

The current study represents the first comprehensive investigation into the general antifouling activities of the natural drimane sesquiterpene polygodial. Previous studies have highlighted a high antifouling effect toward macrofoulers, such as ascidians, tubeworms, and mussels, but no reports about the general antifouling effect of polygodial have been communicated before. To probe the structural and chemical basis for antifouling activity, a library of 11 polygodial analogues was prepared by semisynthesis. The library was designed to yield derivatives with ranging polarities and the ability to engage in both covalent and noncovalent interactions, while still remaining within the drimane sesquiterpene scaffold. The prepared compounds were screened against 14 relevant marine micro- and macrofouling species. Several of the polygodial analogues displayed inhibitory activities at sub-microgram/mL concentrations. These antifouling effects were most pronounced against the macrofouling ascidian Ciona savignyi and the barnacle Balanus improvisus, with inhibitory activities observed for selected compounds comparable or superior to several commercial antifouling products. The inhibitory activity against the microfouling bacteria and microalgae was reversible and significantly less pronounced than for the macrofoulers. This study illustrates that the macro- and microfoulers are targeted by the compounds via different mechanisms.

Fouling-release and chemical activity effects of a siloxane-based material on tunicates

The antifouling performance of a siloxane-based elastomeric impression material (EIM) was compared to that of two silicone fouling-release coatings, Intersleek 757 and RTV-11. In field immersion trials, the EIM caused the greatest reduction in fouling by the solitary tunicate Ciona intestinalis and caused the longest delay in the progression of fouling by two species of colonial tunicate. However, in pseudobarnacle adhesion tests, the EIM had higher attachment strengths. Further laboratory analyses showed that the EIM leached alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) that were toxic to C. intestinalis larvae. The EIM thus showed the longest duration of chemical activity measured to date for a siloxane-based coating (4 months), supporting investigations of fouling-release coatings that release targeted biocides. However, due to potential widespread effects of APEs, the current EIM formulation should not be considered as an environmentally-safe antifoulant. Thus, the data also emphasize consideration of both immediate and long-term effects of potentially toxic constituents released from fouling-release coatings.

Desiccation as a mitigation tool to manage biofouling risks: trials on temperate taxa to elucidate factors influencing mortality rates

The desiccation tolerance of biofouling taxa (adults and early life-stages) was determined under both controlled and 'realistic' field conditions. Adults of the ascidian Ciona spp. died within 24 h. Mortality in the adult blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis occurred within 11 d under controlled conditions, compared with 7 d when held outside. The Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas was the most desiccation-tolerant taxon tested (up to 34 d under controlled conditions). Biofouling orientated to direct sunlight showed faster mortality rates for all the taxa tested. Mortality in Mytilus juveniles took up to 24 h, compared with 8 h for Ciona, with greater survival at the higher temperature (18.5°C) and humidity (~95% RH) treatment combination. This study demonstrated that desiccation can be an effective mitigation method for a broad range of fouling taxa, especially their early life-stages. Further work is necessary to assess risks from other high-risk species such as algae and cyst forming species.

Bioadhesion in ascidians: a developmental and functional genomics perspective

The development of bioadhesives inspired from marine animals is a promising approach to generate new tissue-compatible medical components. A number of marine species, through their adhesive properties, also represent significant foulers that become increasingly problematic to aquaculture, shipping or local biodiversity. In order to develop more sophisticated man-made glues and/or efficient fouling resistant surfaces, it is important to understand the mechanical, structural and molecular properties of adhesive organs in selected species. Ascidians are marine invertebrates with larvae that opportunistically attach to almost any type of submerged surface to undergo metamorphosis into permanently sessile adults. Not only do they represent a globally important fouling organism, but they are becoming increasingly popular as model organisms for developmental biology. The latter is due to their phylogenetic position as the sister group to the vertebrates and their cellular and molecular accessibility for experimentation. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of larval adhesion in ascidians and draw conclusions from comparative analyses of selected species. We further discuss how knowledge from a developmental and functional genomics point of view can advance our understanding of cellular and molecular signatures and their hierarchical usage in animal adhesive organs.

Polygodial: a contact active antifouling biocide

Ongoing investigation of the candidate antifouling (AF) biocide polygodial (PG) has revealed that this compound may be contact active, whereby it can confer effect while remaining bound within a stable matrix. To test this hypothesis, the AF activity of PG-laced coatings was compared to that of seawater in which PG-laced coatings had been soaked. Four coating types spanning high to low affinity for PG were examined and AF activity was assessed based on inhibition of settlement and metamorphosis of larvae of three fouling organisms: Ciona savignyi Herdman, Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck and Spirobranchus caraniferus Gray. Direct exposure to the coatings had a significantly greater impact on larval metamorphosis than indirect exposure to seawater in which the coatings had been soaked. In particular, metamorphosis was almost completely inhibited by high-affinity coatings containing ≥ 200 ng of PG per replicate, while corresponding soaking waters had no detectable effect. These findings support the assertion that PG is contact active.

Potential biocontrol agents for biofouling on artificial structures

The accumulation of biofouling on coastal structures can lead to operational impacts and may harbour problematic organisms, including non-indigenous species. Benthic predators and grazers that can supress biofouling, and which are able to be artificially enhanced, have potential value as augmentative biocontrol agents. The ability of New Zealand native invertebrates to control biofouling on marina pontoons and wharf piles was tested. Caging experiments evaluated the ability of biocontrol to mitigate established biofouling, and to prevent fouling accumulation on defouled surfaces. On pontoons, the gastropods Haliotis iris and Cookia sulcata reduced established biofouling cover by >55% and largely prevented the accumulation of new biofouling over three months. On wharf piles C. sulcata removed 65% of biofouling biomass and reduced its cover by 73%. C. sulcata also had better retention and survival rates than other agents. Augmentative biocontrol has the potential to be an effective method to mitigate biofouling on marine structures.

Monitoring biofouling communities could reduce impacts to mussel aquaculture by allowing synchronisation of husbandry techniques with peaks in settlement

Fouling organisms in bivalve aquaculture cause significant economic losses for the industry. Managing biofouling is typically reactive, and involves time- and labour-intensive removal techniques. Mussel spat settlement and biofouling were documented over 20 months at three mussel farms within Port Phillip Bay (PPB), Australia to determine if knowledge of settlement patterns could assist farmers in avoiding biofouling. Mussel spat settlement was largely confined to a 2-month period at one farm. Of the problematic foulers, Ectopleura crocea settlement varied in space and time at all three farms, whilst Ciona intestinalis and Pomatoceros taeniata were present predominantly at one farm and exhibited more distinct settlement periods. Within PPB, complete avoidance of biofouling is impossible. However, diligent monitoring may help farmers avoid peaks in detrimental biofouling species and allow them to implement removal strategies such as manual cleaning, and postpone grading and re-socking practices, until after these peaks.

Mini-review: impact and dynamics of surface fouling by solitary and compound ascidians

Globally, ascidians are a significant contributor to benthic marine fouling communities, but have remained poorly studied in this context. In some cases, such as in shellfish and finfish aquaculture, ascidians are the most problematic of all fouling organisms. The disproportionate impact of ascidian fouling in some specific geographic locations has been related directly to anthropogenic translocation of these organisms around the globe. In the case of ascidians, therefore, the economic issue of biofouling and the ecological ramifications of invasion are inextricably linked. This mini-review briefly discusses the introduction of non-native ascidians to areas where they have subsequently proven to be a significant fouling pest. The elements of ascidian reproductive ecology that support their aggressive fouling character are discussed and the scant information pertaining to their adhesion and adhesives is presented. Finally, strategies for mitigating ascidian fouling are examined. It is suggested that sufficient working knowledge currently exists to support the inclusion of one or more common ascidian species as 'standard' test organisms used for evaluation of novel fouling-resistant surfaces.

Screening for antioxidant and detoxification responses in Perna canaliculus Gmelin exposed to an antifouling bioactive intended for use in aquaculture

Polygodial is a drimane sesquiterpene dialdehyde derived from certain terrestrial plant species that potently inhibits ascidian metamorphosis, and thus has potential for controlling fouling ascidians in bivalve aquaculture. The current study examined the effects of polygodial on a range of biochemical biomarkers of oxidative stress and detoxification effort in the gills of adult Perna canaliculus Gmelin. Despite high statistical power and the success of positive controls, the antioxidant enzymes glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPOX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD); thiol status, as measured by total glutathione (GSH-t), glutathione disulphide (GSSG), and GSH-t/GSSG ratio; end products of oxidative damage, lipid hydroperoxides (LHPO) and protein carbonyls; and detoxification pathways, represented by GSH-t and glutathione S-transferase (GST), were unaffected in the gills of adult P. canaliculus exposed to polygodial at 0.1 or 1 × the 99% effective dose in fouling ascidians (IC₉₉). Similarly, GR levels, thiol status, and detoxification activities were unaffected in mussels exposed to polygodial at 10 × the IC₉₉, although GPOX, CAT, and SOD activities increased. However, the increases were small relative to positive controls, no corresponding oxidative damage was detected, and this concentration greatly exceeds effective doses required to inhibit fouling ascidians in aquaculture. These findings compliment a previous study that established the insensitivity to polygodial of P. canaliculus growth, condition, and mitochondrial functioning, providing additional support for the suitability of polygodial for use as an antifouling agent in bivalve aquaculture.

Laboratory assessment of the antifouling potential of a soluble-matrix paint laced with the natural compound polygodial

Polygodial is a potent and selective inhibitor of ascidian metamorphosis that shows promise for controlling fouling by ascidians in bivalve aquaculture. The current study examined the potency of, and associated effects of seawater exposure on, a rosin-based soluble-matrix paint laced with 0.08-160 ng polygodial g(-1) wet paint matrix. Paint-coated surfaces were soaked in seawater for 0, 2, 4 or 12 weeks prior to screening for antifouling activity using a bioassay based on the nuisance ascidian Ciona savignyi Herdman. Mortality was greater (mean 50% lethal concentration: 5 ± 2 ng g(-1); mean 75% lethal concentration: 17 ± 4 ng g(-1)) and metamorphosis was inhibited (mean 50% anti-metamorphic concentration: 2 ± 0.4 ng g(-1); mean 75% anti-metamorphic concentration: 15 ± 10 ng g(-1)) in C. savignyi larvae exposed to polygodial-laced soluble-matrix paints, relative to control paints without polygodial. Soaking in seawater prior to testing reduced the efficacy of the formulation up to nearly 12-fold, but even after soaking for 12 weeks paints laced with polygodial at 160 ng g(-1) wet paint matrix prevented ⩾90% of the larvae of C. savignyi from completing metamorphosis. The outcome of this experiment provides a positive first step in evaluating the suitability of polygodial-laced soluble-matrix paints for use in aquaculture.

Biofouling leads to reduced shell growth and flesh weight in the cultured mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis

Competitive interactions between cultured mussels and fouling organisms may result in growth and weight reductions in mussels, and compromised aquaculture productivity. Mussel ropes were inoculated with Ciona intestinalis, Ectopleura crocea or Styela clava, and growth parameters of fouled and unfouled Mytilus galloprovincialis were compared after two months. Small mussels (≈ 50 mm) fouled by C. intestinalis and E. crocea were 4.0 and 3.2% shorter in shell length and had 21 and 13% reduced flesh weight, respectively, compared to the controls. Large mussels (≈ 68 mm) fouled by S. clava, C. intestinalis and E. crocea were 4.4, 3.9 and 2.1% shorter than control mussels, respectively, but flesh weights were not significantly reduced. A series of competitive feeding experiments indicated that S. clava and C. intestinalis did not reduce mussels' food consumption, but that E. crocea, through interference competition, did. Fouling by these species at the densities used here reduced mussel growth and flesh weight, likely resulting in economic losses for the industry, and requires consideration when developing biofouling mitigation strategies.