Abstract Crude extracts were isolated from the ovary and mucus of the puffer fish Amblyrhynchotes
hypselogenion and Lagocephalus sceleratus. The crude toxin extracts (from the ovaries of L.
sceleratus puffer fish (4.5, 9.0, and 18.0 g crude extract/100 g paint) and only one concentration
(3.0 g crude extract/100 g paint) from the skin mucus of A. hypselogenion puffer fish were mixed)
with an inert simple paint formulation (consists of (vinyl chloride–vinyl acetate) copolymer using
tricresyl phosphate as plasticizer. The viscosity of paints was adjusted using a blend of solvents consisting
of methyl isobutyl ketone and toluene) applied to poly vinyl chloride (PVC) plates and
exposed to Suez Gulf water for about 24 weeks. Percentage covers of fouling organisms on plates
were estimated for coated panels over six weeks, and the wet weight (gram/plate) of fouling
organisms on experimental plates was recorded till about 24 weeks. The percentage of plates coated
by formulation with (2007 for 24 weeks) the crude toxic extracts from the ovaries of L. sceleratus
and the mucus of A. hypselogenion ranged from 22% to 24% and 11% to 12%, respectively. The
wet weights of the plates covered by formulation with the same crude toxic extracts of the previous
two species were 124–147 g and 82–93 g, respectively. Antifouling properties were observed for the
extracts of the two species under investigation, however, extracts from A. hypselogenion showed
better properties.
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