Antifouling efficiency of latex producing plant species distributed in tidal and terrestrial regions of Coromandel Coast

Biofouling, also known as biological fouling, is the accumulation of bacteria, plants, algae, or small animals where they are not needed on surfaces like ship and submarine hulls, equipment like water inlets, pipework, grates, ponds, and rivers that compromise the item’s primary function. Anti-fouling refers to a product’s capacity to remove or prevent biofouling, such as toxic biocide paints or non-toxic paints. The present study aimed to assess the antifouling efficiency of mangrove and terrestrial species of Acanthus ilicifolius , Avicennia marina , Avicennia officinalis , Excoecaria agallocha , Rhizophora apiculata , Rhizophora mucronata , Ipomea pes-caprae , Cryptostegia grandiflora , Calotropis gigantea , and Rauvolfia tetraphylla . The plant species were identified using the herbarium method. Primary fouling organisms were identified by molecular sequencing. One gram of sample with 10 ml of solvent had been extracted in decoction and maceration extraction methods in various solvents like methanol, chloroform and water. In antibacterial assessment, the methanol leaf extraction of Excoecaria agallocha and Rauvolfia tetraphylla was found active (< 5 cm) than other plant species. Finally, the study found a new antifouling molecule of lycopersene from Excoecaria agallocha. The identified molecule had more than − 6.6 kcal/mol binding efficiency against macro fouler protein. Graphical Abstract