A low-voltage alternating electric field strategy against Phaeodactylum tricornutum: Anti-biofouling mechanism under electrical stimulation

Abstract

Biofouling is significantly harmful to marine engineering equipment. Utilizing electric fields for biofouling prevention is a promising approach. Current research on electric field anti-biofouling mechanisms primarily focuses on high-voltage fields, while low-voltage alternating electric fields exhibit excellent anti-biofouling efficacy and potential. This study employs low-voltage alternating electric fields, characterized by low energy consumption, high controllability, and minimal environmental impact, to repel the typical fouling microorganisms (Phaeodactylum tricornutum). The parameters of electric field were optimized to achieve a repulsion efficiency of 97.2 %. With DCFH-DA fluorescent probes, the elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were observed after electric field treatment. Increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content confirmed the lipid peroxidation, revealing the induction of oxidative stress. Rhodamine 123 staining revealed the damage to the mitochondrial membrane in alternating electric field-treated cells, directly resulting in reduced adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels. These results indicate that low-voltage alternating electric fields disrupts energy homeostasis via ROS-mediated mitochondrial damage, thereby inhibiting diatom adhesion. This study investigates the biological mechanism of an electric field-based anti-biofouling strategy from the perspective of cellular energy supply, highlighting the critical role of energy pathways in microbial adhesion. The findings provide theoretical support for developing next-generation anti-biofouling systems and advancing sustainable marine engineering.