Bio-organic and anti-barnacle studies of fluorescence-labeled probe compounds against cyprids of barnacles

The mechanism of antifouling activity was investigated by synthesizing 11 fluorescence-labeled probe compounds and using them in bio-organic studies of barnacle cyprids. Dansyl-labeled fluorescent probes with a variety of functional groups were synthesized, and their antifouling activity against barnacle cyprids was evaluated. Interactions between the synthesized probes and the barnacle cyprids were monitored under a fluorescence microscope. Probes containing ether or alkene groups showed more potent antifouling activity than other synthesized probes. After treatment with probes that had strong antifouling activity, strong fluorescence was observed in the oil cell region in barnacle cyprid. The results suggest that the action of a compound in the oil cell region in barnacle cyprid may be a factor in efficient antifouling activity.