As an important model organism for the study of marine bioadhesion, mussels have attracted extensive attention and research. Recent studies have shown that lipids are involved in mussel bioadhesion. To investigate the role of lipids in the mussel adhesion process, we use a Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation (QCM-D) to investigate the dynamic adhesion process of mussel foot proteins (Mefp-1) on different substrates in the presence of lipids by monitoring the changes of Mefp-1 adsorption in real-time. The results show that Mefp-1 binds less to polar hydrophilic SiO2 substrate than to Au substrate, and the introduction of C16:0 palmitic acid significantly promotes the binding of Mefp-1 to different substrates. With increasing palmitic acid concentration, more Mefp-1 would bind to the substrate. According to the adsorption model analysis, palmitic acid may promote the adhesion and binding of Mefp-1 by changing the hydration environment of the adhesion interface in the adhesion process. This study on the effects of fatty acids on Mfp-1 adhesion can help us better understand the bioadhesion mechanisms of mussels, and provide insight for marine antifouling research.
