초록 ▼

An anti-fouling agent derived by culturing Vibrio alginolyticus in a suitable aqueous solution as well as a newly isolated strain of V. alginolyticus (DSM 15590) for producing the anti-fouting agent. The anti-fouling agent can be used as a component to produce other anti-fouling compositions, Depend

An anti-fouling agent derived by culturing Vibrio alginolyticus in a suitable aqueous solution as well as a newly isolated strain of V. alginolyticus (DSM 15590) for producing the anti-fouting agent. The anti-fouling agent can be used as a component to produce other anti-fouling compositions, Depending on the use, the anti-fouling agent derived from V. alginolyricus may be use directly, or subject to further purification.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. An isolated exopolysaccharide that is over 200 kilodaltons in size as measured by denaturing gel electrophoresis and consists essentially of galacrose, glucose, heptose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-apetylgalactosamine, said exopolysaccharide being capable of reversibly i

The invention claimed is: 1. An isolated exopolysaccharide that is over 200 kilodaltons in size as measured by denaturing gel electrophoresis and consists essentially of galacrose, glucose, heptose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-apetylgalactosamine, said exopolysaccharide being capable of reversibly inhibiting settlement of fouling organisms on underwater surfaces and capable of being produced by a Vibrio species selected from the group consisting of Vibrio alginolytlcus, Vitrio proteolyticus, and mixtures thereof. 2. The exopolysaccharide according to claim 1, wherein said Vibrlo species is Vibrio alginolyticus strain DSM 15590. 3. The exopolysaccharide according to claim 1, wherein said exopolysaccharide is produced by a process comprising the steps of: culturing a Vibrio species selected from the group consisting of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio proteolyticus, and mistures thereof in an aqueous solution suitable for growth of said Vibrio species until said exopolysaccharide is produced and secreted into said solution; separating said Vibrio species from said aqueous solution to form a cell-free solution; and isolating said exopolysaccharide from said cell-free solution. 4. The exopolysaccharide according to claim 2, wherein said exopolysaccharide is produced by a process comprising: culturing Vibrio alginolyticus DSM 15590 in an aqueous solution suitable for growth of said Vibrio alginolyticus DSM 15590 until said exopolysaccharide is produced and secreted into said solution; separating said Vibrio alginolyticus DSM 15590 from said aqueous solution to form a cell-free solution; and isolating said exopolysaccharide from said cell-free solution. 5. An anti-fouling composition comprising the exopolysaccharide of claim 1 and a carrier suitable for use on marine structures. 6. An anti-fouling composition comprising the exopolysaccharide of claim 2 and a carrier suitable for use on marine structures. 7. The composition of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein said carrier is selected from the group consisting of a marine paint, a marine coating, and a mixture thereof. 8. A method of producing the exopolysaccharide of claim 1 comprising the steps of: culturing a Vibrio species selected from the group consisting of Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio proteolyticus, and mixtures thereof in an aqueous solution suitable for growth of said Vibrio species until said exopolysaccharide is produced and secreted into said solution: separating said Vibrio species from said aqueous solution to form a cell-free solution; and isolating said exopolysaccharide from said cell-free solution. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein said aqueous solution is seawater. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of desalting said cell-free solution. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said desalting comprises size separation with a cut-off value of 100 kilodaltons. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said Vibrio species is a strain selected from the group consisting of DMS 15590, ATCC 14582, ATCC 17749, ATCC 19108, CIP 71.3, NCIMB 1318, NCIMB 2047, and NCIMB 11038. 13. A method of reducing fouling on the surface of a marine structure by organisms selected from the group consisting of Hydroides elegans, Balanus amphitrite, and Bugulda neritina comprising applying the exopolysaccharide of claim 1 to said surface. 14. A method of reducing fouling on the surface of a marine structure by organisms selected from the group consisting of Hydroides elegans, Balanus amphitrite, and Bugula neritina comprising applying the exopolysaccharide of claim 2 to said surface.