Newswise — Genoa (Italy), 19 July 2023 – A collaborative team of researchers from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (Italian Institute of Technology - IIT) and Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca (University of Milan-Bicocca) in Italy, in partnership with Acquario di Genova (Genoa Aquarium), has recently published a study in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces highlighting the potential of curcumin, a natural antioxidant substance found in turmeric, to mitigate coral bleaching, a phenomenon primarily driven by climate change. To deliver the curcumin effectively without harming the marine environment, the research group developed a biodegradable biomaterial. Encouragingly, tests conducted at the Genoa Aquarium demonstrated significant efficacy in preventing coral bleaching. This promising discovery opens up new possibilities for safeguarding coral reefs and addressing the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
Coral bleaching is a distressing phenomenon that, during severe occurrences, leads to the demise of these organisms, inflicting devastating consequences on coral reefs. These reefs are of paramount importance for the global economy, acting as vital contributors to coastline protection against natural disasters and supporting marine biodiversity. Most corals rely on a symbiotic relationship with tiny algae, which play an indispensable role in their survival and contribute to their vibrant colors. However, climate change-induced rises in sea and ocean temperatures disrupt this crucial symbiosis. As a result, corals expel the algae, causing them to turn white and leaving them at risk of starvation. The continued threat of coral bleaching poses significant challenges for the delicate balance of marine ecosystems and the preservation of coral reefs worldwide.
In recent years, the impact of climate change has become evident, with the majority of the world's major coral barrier reefs, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef, experiencing the effects of coral bleaching. Unfortunately, despite the urgency of the situation, effective methods to counter this phenomenon and prevent coral bleaching while ensuring the survival of these vital habitats and the exceptional biodiversity they support remain elusive. The complexity of the issue poses significant challenges, and current approaches risk endangering the delicate balance of these ecosystems, leaving us with a pressing need to find innovative and sustainable solutions to protect and preserve these invaluable marine habitats.
Researchers from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and the University of Milan-Bicocca, working together with the Genoa Aquarium, have made a significant breakthrough by showcasing the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural molecule, in counteracting coral bleaching triggered by climate change. The team devised a controlled delivery method by utilizing a biomaterial derived from zein, a maize-derived protein, which they developed themselves to ensure environmental safety. This innovative approach offers hope in safeguarding coral reefs and combating the detrimental effects of climate change on these vital marine ecosystems.
During the experiments conducted at the Genoa Aquarium, the researchers simulated overheating conditions akin to tropical seas by raising the water temperature to 33°C. Under these challenging conditions, all untreated corals experienced the bleaching phenomenon, mirroring the natural impact. In contrast, all the corals treated with curcumin displayed no signs of bleaching, showcasing the remarkable efficacy of this technique in reducing coral susceptibility to thermal stress. The study focused on a particular coral species, Stylophora pistillata, which is characteristic of the tropical Indian Ocean and is listed on the IUCN Red List as an endangered species. This research underscores the potential of curcumin as a valuable tool in protecting and preserving vulnerable coral species threatened by the escalating impacts of climate change.
"This groundbreaking technology is currently the subject of a patent application, and our upcoming research endeavors will center on its real-world application on a larger scale in natural settings," revealed Marco Contardi, the first author of the study and a research affiliate of the Smart Materials group at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, as well as a researcher in DISAT (Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences) at the University of Milan-Bicocca. "Simultaneously, we will explore the potential of other natural antioxidant substances to impede the bleaching process and ultimately safeguard coral reefs from destruction." The team's dedication to further development and expansion of this approach offers hope in combatting the adverse effects of coral bleaching and preserving these crucial marine ecosystems for the future.
"The utilization of novel biodegradable and biocompatible materials capable of delivering natural substances to mitigate coral bleaching is a pioneering concept," emphasized Simone Montano, a researcher at DISAT and the deputy director of the MaRHE center (Marine Research and High Education Centre) at the University of Milan-Bicocca. "I firmly believe that this innovative approach will mark a significant breakthrough in the advancement of strategies for the restoration and recovery of marine ecosystems." This innovative and sustainable method offers promise in addressing the pressing challenges faced by coral reefs and represents a valuable step forward in our efforts to protect and rejuvenate these vital marine environments.
RSS