Electrochemical Sterilization of Marine Bacteria Adsorbed onto a Graphite-Silicone Electrode by Application of an Alternating Potential

Abstract

Biofilms consist of microorganisms immobilized on a substratum surface，typically embedded in an organic polymer matrix ofbacterial origin， The fbuling of ship hulls and water conduits by biofilms increases turbulence，which in tum increases nuid frictional resistance．This results in energy loss an(I reduc∈｝d perfbrmance due to the necessity needed負》r regular cleaning of ships or pipe surface1)．Existing methods fbr the prevention of the bacterial growth are only partially successfuL An七ifouhng Paints containing toxic heavy metals2・3)and high concentrations of chlorine have been used fbr decreasing bacterial growth，but these chemicals pollute the environmentand adverselyaf蜀ecthuman health1)． Recently，we have reported an electrochemical sterilization method which is based on direct electron transfer between a bacterial cell and an electrode rather than the generation of toxic substances4・5)，If a plastic electrode is deve-10ped fbr coating a substratum sur蝕ce，electrochemical sterilization can be usedもo prevent bacterialgrowth．Apainttypeelectrodemade from即aphite and sihc one rubber was developed fbr the prevention Qf the bacterial growth on pipe surfaces．Bacterial growth was prevented by electrochemical sterilizationofmarine bacterial cells