Effect of Grafted and Dyed Polyamide Nets on the Adhesion of Three Marine Bacterial Strains

Marine biofouling seriously affects the field of aquaculture. On the one hand, it causes structural fatigue of nets and on the other hand, it has harmful consequences on the health of farmed species. The aims of this study were to develop antibacterial nets using methacrylic acid and dyes. At first, polyamide 6.6 nets were grafted with methacrylic acid following two methods and dyed with 3 specific dyes. Then, modified nets were evaluated with SEM and XPS to obtain morphological and chemical information. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of nets was assessed against three bacterial strains at a laboratory scale and at a real scale by calculating the Colonies Forming Units (CFU) / gram. All treated nets showed an inhibition level higher than 65%. Besides, nets dyed with direct dye Tubantin and grafted with MA after plasma activation, showed an inhibition level higher than 95%. Also, nets modified with MA after plasma and reactive dye Bezaktiv S showed the best antifouling activity against three bacteria strains.