Marine Drugs, Vol. 22, Pages 77: The Role of Natural and Synthetic Flavonoids in the Prevention of Marine Biofouling

Marine Drugs, Vol. 22, Pages 77: The Role of Natural and Synthetic Flavonoids in the Prevention of Marine Biofouling

Marine Drugs doi: 10.3390/md22020077

Authors: Daniela Pereira Madalena Pinto Joana R. Almeida Marta Correia-da-Silva Honorina Cidade

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.