From broad-spectrum biocides to quorum sensing disruptors and mussel repellents: antifouling profile of alkyl triphenylphosphonium salts

PLoS One. 2015 Apr 21;10(4):e0123652. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123652. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

'Onium' compounds, including ammonium and phosphonium salts, have been employed as antiseptics and disinfectants. These cationic biocides have been incorporated into multiple materials, principally to avoid bacterial attachment. In this work, we selected 20 alkyl-triphenylphosphonium salts, differing mainly in the length and functionalization of their alkyl chains, in fulfilment of two main objectives: 1) to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the antifouling profile of these molecules with relevant marine fouling organisms; and 2) to shed new light on their potential applications, beyond their classic use as broad-spectrum biocides. In this regard, we demonstrate for the first time that these compounds are also able to act as non-toxic quorum sensing disruptors in two different bacterial models (Chromobacterium violaceum and Vibrio harveyi) as well as repellents in the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. In addition, their inhibitory activity on a fouling-relevant enzymatic model (tyrosinase) is characterized. An analysis of the structure-activity relationships of these compounds for antifouling purposes is provided, which may result useful in the design of targeted antifouling solutions with these molecules. Altogether, the findings reported herein provide a different perspective on the biological activities of phosphonium compounds that is particularly focused on, but, as the reader will realize, is not limited to their use as antifouling agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Artemia / drug effects
  • Artemia / physiology
  • Biofouling
  • Chromobacterium / drug effects
  • Chromobacterium / physiology
  • Diatoms / drug effects
  • Diatoms / physiology
  • Disinfectants / chemistry
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Fungal Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Fungal Proteins / chemistry
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / chemistry
  • Mytilus / drug effects
  • Mytilus / physiology
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / chemistry
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Quorum Sensing / drug effects
  • Seaweed / drug effects
  • Seaweed / physiology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vibrio / drug effects
  • Vibrio / physiology

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Fungal Proteins
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (http://www.mineco.gob.es/), SAF2011-28883-C03-01 (JJF), CTQ2011-28417-C02-01/BQU (VSM), AGL2010-16464 (JMFB), MAT2013-40852-R (FL); Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport (http://www.mecd.gob.es/portada-mecd/), CEI 10/00018 (MN). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.