The Role of Natural and Synthetic Flavonoids in the Prevention of Marine Biofouling
Daniela Pereira,
Madalena Pinto,
Joana R. Almeida,
Marta Correia-da-Silva,
Honorina Cidade
Affiliations
Daniela Pereira
Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Madalena Pinto
Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Joana R. Almeida
Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Edifício do Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
Marta Correia-da-Silva
Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Honorina Cidade
Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Marine biofouling is a major concern for the maritime industry, environment, and human health. Biocides which are currently used in marine coatings to prevent this phenomenon are toxic to the marine environment, and therefore a search for antifoulants with environmentally safe properties is needed. A large number of scientific papers have been published showing natural and synthetic compounds with potential to prevent the attachment of macro- and microfouling marine organisms on submerged surfaces. Flavonoids are a class of compounds which are highly present in nature, including in marine organisms, and have been found in a wide range of biological activities. Some natural and synthetic flavonoids have been evaluated over the last few years for their potential to prevent the settlement and/or the growth of marine organisms on submerged structures, thereby preventing marine biofouling. This review compiles, for the first-time, natural flavonoids as well as their synthetic analogues with attributed antifouling activity against macrofouling and microfouling marine organisms.
