Saving corals: curcumin helps protecting them

By Team IO

A cohort of Italian researchers published a study demonstrating curcumin’s efficacy in reducing coral bleaching. The research group, involving scientists from the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), the University of Milan-Bicocca, and Genoa Aquarium, developed a biodegradable biomaterial to deliver the molecule without causing damage to the surrounding marine environment. Tests conducted at the Genoa Aquarium have shown significant efficacy in preventing coral bleaching, writes the IIT in a press release.

Coral bleaching is a phenomenon that causes the death of these organisms with devastating consequences for coral reefs. Most corals live in symbiosis with microscopic algae, indispensable for survival and responsible for their vibrant colors. Due to climate change, sea, and ocean temperatures are rising, disrupting the relationship between these two organisms. When this happens, the coral, which turns white due to the loss of algae, literally risks starvation.

In recent years, due to climate change, this condition has affected most of the world’s major coral barrier reefs, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. However, to date, there are no effective methods of countering this phenomenon and preventing it without seriously endangering the survival of these habitats and the exceptional biodiversity associated with them.

Effective curcumin

Curcumin is administered to the coral in a controlled manner by applying a biomaterial based on zein, a protein derived from maize, a system developed by the partners themselves to ensure safety for the environment.

During the tests performed at the Genoa Aquarium, overheating conditions in tropical seas were simulated by raising the water temperature to 33°C. Under these conditions, the bleaching phenomenon affected all untreated corals as would occur in nature. On the contrary, all specimens treated with curcumin showed no signs of this tendency, which makes this technique effective in reducing the susceptibility of corals to thermal stress. A coral species (Stylophora pistillata) typical of the tropical Indian Ocean, included in the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of endangered species, was used for this study.

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Coral reefs are struggling to survive. Just as it was the case last year, ocean temperatures around parts of the Great Barrier Reef have once again reached record heat levels.

Application on a larger scale

“This technology is the subject of a patent application that has been filed, and in fact, the next steps of this research will focus on its application in nature and on a large scale,” said Marco Contardi, first author of the study. “At the same time, we will examine the use of other antioxidant substances of natural origin to block the bleaching process and thus prevent the destruction of coral reefs.”

“The use of new biodegradable and biocompatible materials capable of releasing natural substances that can reduce coral bleaching is something entirely new,” said Simone Montano, a researcher at the University of Milan-Bicocca. “I strongly believe that this innovative approach will represent a significant breakthrough in developing strategies for the recovery of marine ecosystems.”