Biosignal technology effective against microbrial corrosion

Bacteria and fungi thrive in some of the most hostile environments on the planet, and employ exotic metabolic reactions to extract energy from the most toxic substrates -- including acidic industrial wastes and hydrocarbon fuels.

Tests by Sydney anti-microbial specialist Biosignal (ASX:BOS) and Melbourne-based Q.Stat have shown that Biosignal's proprietary furanone anti-biofilm compounds can prevent corrosive biofilms forming in pipelines, tanks, filters and other equipment in the oil and gas industry, and other industries.

Q.Stat commissioned CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology to test some of the Biosignal compounds on the bacterium Desulfoviobrio vulgaris and the fungus Hormodendrum resinae, which has a taste for creosote, tars and hydrocarbon fuels, including diesoleum and jet fuel.

The CSIRO tests showed that the compounds prevented microbial corrosion of aluminium samples that had been inoculated with either of the two microbes -- aluminium is widely used in lightweight aircraft fuel systems, and Biosignal describes it as a 'relevant proxy' for the steel used in oil and gas pipelines.

Biosignal CEO and MD Michael Oredsson described the early results as very encouraging, and said they presented a new opportunity to develop an anti-biofilm product to remedy a global problem in oil and gas production, distribution and storage.

"This would be an entirely new class of product," he said. "Biosignal's focus remains on contact lenses and medical devices, however, in the past year we have been surprised by newfound efficacy against bacteria causing cholerate, oral bacteria and now, corrosive bacteria and fungi."

CSIRO now plans to test the compounds at different concentrations, and to test other compounds not tested in the initial trials. The results will help Biosignal and Q.Stat move towards identifying a cost-effective, lead product. The companies will also look for potential collaborators in the oil and gas industry.