Effects of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), as a purportedly environmentally benign antifoulant, on the adhesion behavior of the marine mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis were studied. PLLA-casting sheet samples having different molecular weights, which were prepared by treatment with super-heated steam, were subjected to a mussel adhesion test. The numbers of attached mussels and byssus threads produced by them on the sheet decreased with a decrease in the molecular weight of PLLA, while no vital effect was observed on the mussels. These results indicate that the lower the molecular weight of PLLA, the more significant the effect on mussel adhesion behavior, without any toxic effect.
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