EVALUATION OF ECO-FRIENDLY COATINGS PERFORMANCE FOR GOLDEN MUSSEL CONTROL IN AQUACULTURE

• Grant number: 23/08026-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2023
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Water Resources
• Principal Investigator: Daercy Maria Monteiro de Rezende Ayroza
• Grantee: Daercy Maria Monteiro de Rezende Ayroza
• Host Institution: Instituto Agronômico (IAC). Agência Paulista de Tecnologia dos Agronegócios (APTA). Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento (São Paulo - Estado). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Ana Lúcia Brandimarte ; Claudio Cerqueira Lopes ; Eduardo Gomes Sanches ; João Donato Scorvo Filho ; Maria Letizia Petesse ; Rubens Mendes Lopes
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/08756-1 - Development of Lysoglycerophosphocholines from Soy Lecithins: Enhancement of Biocide in Marine Paints,Evaluation of Incorporation and Monitoring of Chemical Stability, BP.TT; 24/01740-2 - Development of Lysoglycerophosphocholines from Soy Lecithins: Enhancement of Biocide in Marine Paints, Evaluation of Incorporation and Monitoring of Chemical Stability, BP.TT

Abstract

The golden mussel, Limnoperna fortunei, is a bivalve mollusk of the Mytilidae family native to Southeast Asia, which was introduced in the coastal region of the Rio de la Plata (Argentina) and gradually colonized aquatic environments in Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil, causing environments damage and impacting human activities such as hydroelectric plants, water supply facilities, and aquaculture. Exploring innovative technology, the present project aims to evaluate the antifouling effect of two types of eco-friendly coatings for the control of the golden mussel in freshwater fish farms: one produced from silicone and epoxy hybrid resin and the other from soy lecithin. Both substances have already been successfully tested for barnacles (sessile crustaceans) in a marine environment. Field evaluations, laboratory tests, and environmental monitoring are proposed to be carried out by a multidisciplinary team. At the same time, data will be obtained to feed image processing software for digital counting of incrusted animals. In addition, specific analyses will be developed to prove the low environmental impact and quality of the coatings, as well as to evaluate the cost-benefit of their use. Therefore, this research aims to contribute with information for the control of the golden mussel in aquaculture through the use of coatings with anti-adherent characteristics that do not cause harm to the produced fish and the environment. (AU)