Application of Piper betle Leaf Extract as a Bioactive Additive in Eco-Friendly Antifouling Coatings

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the antifouling efficacy of Piper betle leaf extracts as a bioactive additive for eco-friendly antifouling coatings. The composition of P. betle extract was determined and analyzed. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the ethanol extract of P. betle contained phenolics, tannins, proteins, carbohydrates, and flavonoids, with total phenolic content reaching 260.3 mg GAE/g dry weight and flavonoid content reaching 52.56 mg QE/g dry weight. The antibacterial test results showed that the ethanol extract of P. betle exhibited maximum antibacterial efficacy against E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, and marine bacteria, with inhibition zone diameters of 28.7 ± 0.5, 27.0 ± 1.6, 22.1 ± 0.6, and 35.1 ± 0.5 mm, respectively. Based on the laboratory test results, the ethanol extract of P. betle was chosen to be added to coatings as an antifouling additive. The content of the extract was 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt.%. A field test conducted in tropical seawater (at Nha Trang Bay) demonstrated that incorporating 1 wt.% of P. betle extract into an acrylic copolymer-based coating significantly enhanced its antifouling performance. After nine months of immersion in seawater, this sample maintained an antifouling efficiency of 74%. These findings highlight the potential of P. betle extract as a sustainable alternative to conventional antifouling agents in marine coatings.