DESCRIZIONE
The present invention relates to a new principle for eco-friendly antifouling paints based on the synergistic effect caused by copper in combination with polyphosphate(polyP)/bisphosphonate on organisms like bacteria cells. Application of polyP-degrading exopolyphosphatase inhibitors such as bisphosphonates either alone or in combination with polyP prevents detoxification of copper used in antifouling paints by reducing the co-export of copper and phosphate from the bacterial cells, leading to death of the bacteria and preventing fouling, including macrofouling.