Mucilage is an economically and ecologically undesirable condition that occurs as a result of different physical, chemical and biological processes. GA-MUCILAJ was developed to be used in the disposal of organic matter that remains undissolved or decomposes slowly, such as mucilage, by utilizing the metabolic properties of bacteria obtained from seawater and sediment in Turkish Seas. The mixture, consisting of marine bacterial isolates, takes part in the bacterial degradation process of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins/organic matter in mucilage and ensures the disposal of mucilage.
The bacterial isolates in the product are selected as bacteria resistant to heavy metal salts and with metabolic properties suitable for decomposing mucilage, and they provide the elimination of marine mucilage formed on the surface and bottom. The product also offers the advantage of being an environmentally friendly method that provides economic and ecological benefits by improving the microbial flora in the marine ecosystem, suppressing pathogenic bacteria, and accelerating the rehabilitation process for the development of pelagic and benthic organisms.
GA-MUCILAJ, in addition to being used for the removal of mucilage formed in the marine environment, offers the opportunity to be used as a protective product that will ensure the sustainable use of the ecosystem by accelerating the decomposition of organic matter in aquatic areas where there is an increase in organic matter and providing biological recovery in order to prevent mucilage from forming.
It has been proven with scientific data that the use of the product does not have a negative effect on marine life, and biodegradability tests have shown that 50% of the beneficial bacteria in sea water turn into CO2 in 2 days, and 70% in 7 days.
MARMARA SEA/STUDY CASE
A pilot study was carried out by G. Altuğ in Yenikapı Port using marine bacterial isolates for the disposal of mucilage observed in the Marmara Sea in 2021. Mucilage was successfully eliminated in 5 days on the surface and 10 days at the bottom, and the pilot study report was shared with the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and the Ministry of Agriculture.
With the project carried out at Istanbul University and supported by TÜBİTAK within the scope of "Mucilage Emergency Calls" under the leadership of G. Altuğ, it has been scientifically proven that the use of a mixture of beneficial local/indigenous marine bacteria in the sea has no harmful effects on benthic and pelagic marine organisms (sea bream, sea bass, model organism zebra fish, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroalgae, mussels) and inhibits pathogenic bacteria.
The studies were carried forward with the project titled "Improving the Use of Beneficial Marine Bacteria Isolates in Mucilage-Free Prevention", which was carried out by BİYOTEK 15 within Teknokent between 2022-2023.
The patent for the method for the GA-Mucilage product was registered in 2023. BİYOTEK 15 currently has the know-how and production technology for the use of the GA-Mucilage product both for the disposal of mucilage and for the purpose of providing improvement in aquatic areas where organic matter accumulation is observed.