Antimicrobial and anticorrosion activity of a novel composite biocide against mixed bacterial strains in Taiwanese marine environments
Journal
Materials
Journal Volume
14
Journal Issue
20
Date Issued
2021
Author(s)
Abstract
Taiwan is an island with a humid subtropical climate. The relatively warm seawater results in biofouling of the surfaces of marine facilities. Biocide application is a common practice for combating and eliminating adhesive fouling. However, a single type of biocide may have limited antimicrobial effects due to the relatively high microbial diversity in marine environments. Therefore, applying a mixture of various biocides may be necessary. In this study, the antimicrobial and anti-corrosion properties of a newly designed composite biocide, namely a combination of thymol and benzyldimethyldodecylammonium chloride, were investigated by applying the biocide to 304 stainless steel substrates immersed in inocula containing bacterial strains from Tamsui and Zuoying harbors. The ability of 3TB and 5TB treatments to prevent sessile cells and biofilm formation on the 304 stainless steel coupon surface was determined through scanning electron microscopy investi-gation. In addition, confocal laser scanning microscopy indicated that the 5TB treatment achieved a greater bactericidal effect in both the Tamsui and Zuoying inocula. Moreover, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy revealed that the diameter of the Nyquist semicircle was almost completely unaffected by Tamsui or Zuoying under the 5TB treatment. Through these assessments of antimicro-bial activity and corrosion resistance, 5TB treatment was demonstrated to have superior bactericidal activity against mixed strains in both southern and northern Taiwanese marine environments. ? 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
Subjects
Biofouling
Composite biocides
Confocal laser scanning microscopy
Corrosion
Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy
Adhesives
Austenitic stainless steel
Chlorine compounds
Confocal microscopy
Corrosion resistance
Corrosive effects
Electrochemical corrosion
Microorganisms
Scanning electron microscopy
Steel corrosion
Surface analysis
304 stainless steel
Anti-corrosion
Bacterial strains
Composite biocide
Confocal-laser-scanning-microscopy
Electrochemical-impedance spectroscopies
Inocula
Marine environment
Subtropical climates
Biocides
Type
journal article