Patent EA-003219-B1 (EA)
Title: Marine antifouling methods and compositions
Inventor: POWERS WARREN PAUL
IPC: C09D/
Filed: 1999-02-26
Abstract: 1. A marine antifouling composition comprising: a base material selected from the group consisting of an epoxy material, a polyurethane material, a polyester material, a fiberglass material, a silicone material, and an acrylic material; and at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme and at least one microorganism which produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme mixed with the base material, wherein the enzyme and the microorganism are present in an effective amount to reduce or prevent fouling of a marine surface coated with the marine antifouling composition. 2. A marine article coated with the composition of claim 1. 3. A method for reducing fouling of a marine surface, comprising coating the marine surface with a composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the composition reduces fouling of a marine surface coated with the marine antifouling composition. 4. A marine antifouling paint comprising: a paint base material, suitable for marine applications, wherein the base material is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy material, a polyurethane material, a fiberglass material, a polyester material, a silicone material, and an acrylic material; a pigment; and at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme and at least one microorganism which produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme mixed with the paint base material, wherein the enzyme and the microorganism are present in a effective amount to reduce or prevent fouling of a marine surface coated with the marine antifouling paint. 5. A marine article coated with the paint of claim 4. 6. A method for reducing fouling of a marine surface according to claim 3, wherein the composition is in the form of a paint containing a pigment. 7. A method for reducing marine corrosion comprising: coating a marine surface with a composition as claimed in claim 1, whereby the composition forms at least one film that reduces adsorption of corrosive molecules to the surface. 8. The method of claim 7 wherein the composition impedes surface corrosion and intergranular corrosion. 9. A method for reducing marine corrosion according to claim 7, wherein the composition is in the form of a paint containing a pigment. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the paint impedes surface corrosion and intergranular corrosion. 11. A method for limiting adsorption of water by a marine surface comprising coating the surface with a composition as claimed in claim 1, whereby the composition produces a film that in turn reduces the porosity of the surface. 12. A method for limiting adsorption of water by a marine surface according to claim 11, wherein the composition is in the form of a paint containing a pigment. 13. A method for reducing the coefficient of drag of a marine surface comprising coating the surface with a composition as claimed in claim 1. 14. The method of claim 3, wherein the microorganism also produces a surfactant that acts as a wetting agent. 15. A method for reducing the coefficient of drag of a marine surface as claimed in claim 13, wherein the composition is in the form of a paint containing a pigment. 16. The method of claim 6, wherein the microorganism also produces a surfactant that acts as a wetting agent. 17. The marine antifouling composition of claim 1, wherein the composition includes an inorganic salt present in a catalytically effective amount. 18. The marine antifouling paint of claim 4, wherein the composition includes an inorganic salt present in a catalytically effective amount. 19. A method of reducing the tendency of a propeller to cavitate under a load, comprising coating a surface of the propeller with the marine antifouling composition of claim 1. 20. A method of reducing the tendency of a propeller to cavitate under a load, wherein the composition is in the form of a paint containing a pigment. 21. A method for reducing mildew fungus on a marine surface comprising coating a marine surface with a composition as claimed in claim 1, whereby the composition forms at least one film that reduces the adsorption of mildew fungus to the surface. 22. A marine antifouling composition comprising a polymer resin base material; and at least one microorganism which produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme in the base material, wherein the microorganism is present in an effective amount to reduce or prevent fouling of a marine surface coated with the marine antifouling composition. 23. A marine antifouling composition according to claim 22, wherein the microorganism also produces a surfactant that acts as a wetting agent. 24. A marine antifouling paint comprising: a paint base material, suitable for marine applications; a pigment; and at least one microorganism which produces at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme in the paint base material, wherein the microorganism is present in an effective amount to reduce or prevent fouling of a marine surface coated with the marine antifouling paint. 25. A marine antifouling paint according to claim 24, wherein the paint base material is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy material, a polyurethane material, a polyester material, a fiberglass material, a silicone material, and an acrylic material. 26. A marine antifouling paint according to claim 24, wherein the microorganism also produces a surfactant that acts as a wetting agent. 27. A marine antifouling composition according to claim 22, further including at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme in the base material. 28. A marine antifouling paint according to claim 24, further including at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme in the paint base material. 29. A method for removing undesired growth from a surface, comprising the step of coating the surface with a composition comprising a base material, and at least one microorganism capable of producing at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the composition further comprises a pigment. 31. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the base material is a polymer. 32. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the base material is selected from the group consisting of an epoxy material, a polyurethane material, a polyester material, a fiberglass material, a silicone material and an acrylic material. 33. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the composition further contains an inorganic salt present in a catalytically affective amount. 34. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the composition further contains at least one amylolytic or proteolytic enzyme. 35. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the microorganism also produces a surfactant that acts as a wetting agent. 36. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the growth is soft growth. 37. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the growth is hard growth. 38. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the enzyme attacks exudates of existing growths and causes release of hard and soft growth. 39. The method of claims 29 or 30, wherein the surface is a floor, roof or shingle.