Engineered coatings containing cyclic peptides from cyanobacteria delay the development of a stable macrofouling community

Bio-based antifouling coatings incorporating cyanobacterial natural products inhibit biofilm formation and mussel larval settlement at lab scale, outperforming a commercial biocide under real marine conditions by promoting an antifouling–effective biome. This technology provides a promising route toward sustainable, eco-safe antifouling solutions with potential applications across marine ecological management.