NOPR Collection: Special Issue on Advanced Technologies for Management of Ballast Water and Biofouling (Guest Editors: M. Vijayakumaran, R. Kirubagaran & V.P. Venugopalan)

In silico analysis of adhesive foot proteins of mussels

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: In silico analysis of adhesive foot proteins of mussels Authors: Singaravelu, Muthukumar; Ramalingam, Kirubagaran; Anishetty, Sharmila Abstract: Byssal threads made up of foot proteins help the mussels to colonize new habitats facilitating attachment in aqueous environments. In the current study, we have analyzed mussel adhesive proteins, foot protein 1 (fp1) and foot protein 3 (fp3) in terms of their amino acid composition and dipeptide and tripeptide preferences. Further, analysis of sequence around the post translationally modified fp1 shows a sequential arrangement of decapeptide or octapeptide patterns. The pattern that was derived from four species of Mytilus was "Y-X(5)-Y-X(3)", while the three sequences from Perna virdis show "W-X(2)-W-X(6)" pattern and the four sequences from Perna canaliculus show octapeptide "Y-X(3)-Y-X(3)" pattern repeats. In silico analysis of amino acid composition using PERL program confirms the significant role of amino acid residues. The dipeptide and tripeptide analyses of cement proteins of barnacles and polychaetes were also performed. Dipeptide and tripeptide analysis provided an overview of compositional bias which is prevalent among marine invertebrate adhesive protein complexes. The analyses of three groups of frequent macrofoulers (mussels, barnacles and polychaetes) bring out the importance of individual amino acids and dipeptides and tripeptides in underwater adhesion. Page(s): 2175-2180

A study on the effect of pulsed power ultrasound waves on marine biofouling

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A study on the effect of pulsed power ultrasound waves on marine biofouling Authors: Thiruppathi, K.; Lakshmi, P.; Sudarsan, K.; Rajapan, Dhilsha; Kirubagaran, R. Abstract: Ultrasonic technique is one of the promising non-invasive technologies to control biofilm formation on the marine substratum. A prototype ultrasonic system was designed and developed to control biofouling in the marine environment. The Ultrasonic technique was utilized to control the biofilm formation on copper test coupons suspended in a continuous seawater flow through system. The colonization of microorganisms promotes settlement of higher order organisms; therefore, deactivation of microorganisms is likely to affect the fouling density. Ultrasonic sound waves at 25 kHz with an electric drive power of 500 watts were used to control aquatic biofouling and growth in an open seawater circulation experimental setup. The ultrasonic waves create microscopic cavitations which damages the outer cell structure of microorganisms destroying them and preventing them from growing around the ultrasound exposure areas. The experiments were conducted continuously over a period of 21 days and were repeated several times to ensure reliability. A reduction in the microorganism activation was observed on the ultrasound exposed area besides preventing damages to the structure of the test coupon. Based on the encouraging results, a low cost prototype ultrasonic digital system controlled by pre-programmed microchips was custom built and the same is being planned for further studies in the frequency range 20 – 40 kHz. Page(s): 2169-2174

On-line biofouling control in the plate heat exchanger system through osmotic shock

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: On-line biofouling control in the plate heat exchanger system through osmotic shock Authors: Thiruppathi, K.; Lakshmi, P.; Saravanan, N.; Vinodha, S.; Kirubagaran, R. Abstract: Cost effective control of biofouling is a challenging task in the hazardous environment, especially in the nuclear power plants and desalination plants. Biofouling control of plate heat exchangers was investigated extensively using osmotic shock and the effectiveness of the method was evaluated using microbiological data. Microbiological analysis were carried out in the inlet and out let sea water and compared before and after the osmotic shock. Prevention of scale deposits in the plate heat exchanger system can benefit particularly nuclear power plants and desalination plants and avoid unexpected production shut-downs resulting in substantial improvement to power production in nuclear power plants. The water quality data showed significant fouling control and improvement in the plate heat exchanger operation. The plate heat exchanger system was examined for two different duration (5 and 10 days) and two different temperature regime in order to test system efficiency and to prevent the biofilm formation. A detailed analysis of the entire treatment process was correlated with the microbiological observation and functioning of the system. Page(s): 2158-2168

Non- indigenous ascidians in V. O. Chidambaram port, Thoothukudi, India

Sat, 01 Nov 2014 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Non- indigenous ascidians in V. O. Chidambaram port, Thoothukudi, India Authors: Ali, H. Abdul Jaffar; Tamilselvi, M.; Sivakumar, V. Abstract: V. O. Chidambaram port, formerly Tuticorin port, is one among the 12 major ports in India with regular services to United States, Europe, China, Red sea port and Mediterranean countries and so serving as gateway for bioinvasion. Ascidians belonging to the Class Ascidiacea of sub-Phylum Tunicata are abundant in many ports around the world and most of them are non-indigenous. They are one of the key ecological groups because of their invasive potential and ability to thrive in eutrophic environments. During a survey of the port area over the past three years (2011-2013), sixteen species of ascidians were identified belonging to diverse families: Ascidiidae (4), Styelidae (2), Pyuridae (4), Polycitoridae (2), and Didemnidae (4). Among the identified species, Phallusia nigra, P. arabica, Ascidia gemmata, Microcosmus exasperates, Herdmaniapallida, Eudistoma viride, E. laysani, Didemnum psammatode and Diplosomasimilis are classified as cryptogenic species while M. squamiger, M. stoloniferus, Styelacanopus, A. sydneiensis Didemnum candidum, Lissoclinum fragile and Eusynstyela tincta are invasive species. Presence of large number of cryptogenic and invasive ascidians in this harbour reinforces the need for continued and periodic monitoring of population expansion of these species and also for establishment of control programme. Utilization of non–indigenous ascidians for the betterment of humankind may be considered as one of management strategies of non–indigenous species. Page(s): 2147-2157