In a groundbreaking study published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, scientists from the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) and the University of Milan-Bicocca have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against coral bleaching, a phenomenon triggered by climate change. In collaboration with the Genoa Aquarium in Italy, the research team demonstrated the effectiveness of curcumin, a natural antioxidant found in turmeric, in protecting coral reefs from the devastating effects of rising ocean temperatures.

Coral bleaching occurs when coral organisms lose their symbiotic algae due to extreme heat caused by climate change, leading to the reefs turning white and facing potential death. The consequences of coral bleaching are far-reaching, impacting the global economy, coastal protection from natural disasters, and marine biodiversity. Until now, effective methods to combat coral bleaching without harming the delicate marine ecosystem were limited.

The team’s breakthrough involved delivering curcumin to corals using a biodegradable biomaterial based on zein, a maize-derived protein. Tests conducted at the Genoa Aquarium under simulated tropical sea overheating conditions revealed that corals treated with curcumin showed no bleaching, while untreated corals experienced severe bleaching. The results demonstrated the technique’s efficacy in safeguarding corals against thermal stress. The researchers focused on the Stylophora pistillata coral species, commonly found in the tropical Indian Ocean and classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List.

The researchers believe this innovative approach holds great promise for the future of coral reef conservation. They have filed a patent application for the technology and are looking to apply it on a larger scale to protect marine ecosystems further. Moreover, the team plans to explore using other natural antioxidants to combat coral bleaching effectively. This scientific advancement could mark a significant milestone in restoring and preserving marine ecosystems worldwide.

References

• Contardi, M., Fadda, M., Isa, V., Louis, Y. D., Madaschi, A., Vencato, S., Montalbetti, E., Bertolacci, L., Ceseracciu, L., Seveso, D., Lavorano, S., Galli, P., Athanassiou, A., & Montano, S. (2023). Biodegradable zein-based biocomposite films for underwater delivery of curcumin reduce thermal stress effects in corals. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15(28), 33916–33931. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.3c01166
• Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia. (2023, July 19). Scientists Discover Nature’s Secret Weapon Against Coral Bleaching. SciTechDaily; SciTechDaily. https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-natures-secret-weapon-against-coral-bleaching/