Amphiphilic siloxane–polyurethane (AmSiPU) coatings were prepared using a series of polyisocyanate prepolymers modified with polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Fouling-release performance of the AmSiPU coatings was evaluated through laboratory biological assays using several representative marine organisms. First, polyisocyanate prepolymers with compositional variation in PDMS and PEG were synthesized and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and isocyanate titrations. Then, the prepolymers were incorporated into coatings. Surface wettability of the coatings was evaluated using contact angle and surface energy measurements. Coatings’ surfaces were also characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). ATR-FTIR and XPS experiments revealed that both PDMS and PEG moieties were present on the surface suggesting amphiphilic character. AFM phase images show microphase separation. AmSiPU coatings show excellent fouling-release performance toward bacteria (Cellulophaga lytica), the diatoms (Navicula incerta), and the green algae (Ulva linza), demonstrating comparable or superior performance to many commercial amphiphilic fouling-release coatings. Despite the incorporation of hydrophilic PEG, AmSiPU coatings show good macrofouling release which is often challenging with amphiphilic coating systems. AmSiPU coatings are a nontoxic and tough fouling-release solution with comparable performance to benchmarks in the fouling-release coatings market.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis L. 1758) are important components of coastal ecosystems and in the economy of rural and coastal areas. The understanding of their physiological processes at key life stages is important both within food production systems and in the management of wild populations. Lipids are crucial molecules for bivalve growth, but their diversity and roles have not been fully characterised. In this study, traditional lipid profiling techniques, such as fatty acid (FA) and lipid class analysis, are combined to untargeted lipidomics to elucidate the lipid metabolism in newly settled spat fed on a range of diets. The evaluated diets included single strains treatments (Cylindrotheca fusiformis CCAP 1017/2 –CYL, Isochrysis galbana CCAP 927/1– ISO, Monodopsis subterranean CCAP 848/1 –MONO, Nannochloropsis oceanica CCAP 849/10– NANNO) and a commercial algae paste (SP). Spat growth was influenced by the diets, which, according to their efficacy were ranked as follows: ISO>NANNO/CYL>SP>MONO. A higher triacylglycerols (TG) content, ranging from 4.23±0.82 μg mg_{ashfree Dry weight (DW)}^-1 at the beginning of the trial (T0) to 51±15.3 μg mg_ashfreeDW^-1 in ISO, characterised significant growth in the spat, whereas, a reduction of TG (0.3±0.08 μg mg_ashfreeDW^-1 in MONO), mono unsaturated FA–MUFA (from 8.52±1.02 μg mgFA_ashfreeDW^-1 at T0 to 2.81±1.02 μg mgFA_ashfreeDW^-1 in MONO) and polyunsaturated FA–PUFA (from 17.57±2.24 μg mgFA_ashfreeDW^-1 at T0 to 6.19±2.49 μg mgFA_ashfreeDW^-1 in MONO) content characterised poor performing groups. Untargeted lipidomics evidenced how the availability of dietary essential PUFA did not influence only neutral lipids but also the membrane lipids, with changes in lipid molecular species in relation to the essential PUFA provided via the diet. Such changes have the potential to affect spat production cycle and their ability to respond to the surrounding environment. This study evidenced the advantages of coupling different lipid analysis techniques, as each technique disclosed relevant information on nutritional requirements of M. edulis juveniles, expanding the existing knowledge on the physiology of this important species.

There is currently strong motivation due to ecological concerns to develop effective anti-biofouling coatings that are environmentally benign, durable, and stable for use by the maritime industry. The antifouling (AF) and fouling-release (FR) efficacy of amphiphilic, charged copolymers composed of ~52% acrylamide, ~34% acrylic acid, and ~14% methyl acrylate grafted to poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMSe) surfaces were tested against zoospores of the green alga Ulva linza and the diatom Navicula incerta. The biofouling response to molecular weight variation was analyzed for grafts ranging from ~100 to 1,400 kg mol⁻¹, The amphiphilic coatings showed a marked improvement in the FR response, with a 55% increase in the percentage removal of diatoms and increased AF efficacy, with 92% reduction in initial attachment density of zoospores, compared to PDMSe controls. However, graft molecular weight, in the range tested, was statistically insignificant. Grafting copolymers to PDMSe embossed with the Sharklet™ microtopography did not produce enhanced AF efficacy.