The roles of biomolecules in corrosion induction and inhibition of corrosion: a possible insight

Biofilms cause huge economic loss to the industry through corrosion. A deeper understanding of how biofilms form, develop and interact will help to decipher their roles in promoting and inhibiting corrosion, thus in controlling it. The present review explores most mechanisms of biofilm development and maintenance with particular emphasis on the roles of the biomolecules characteristic of biofilms, including exopolysaccharides (EPSs), proteins/enzymes, lipids, DNA and other metabolites in the corrosion process. These biomolecules play a significant role in the electron transfer process resulting in corrosion induction and inhibition. Microbial attachment, biofilm formation, the EPS matrix and both positive and negative effects by specific biofilm-forming genes all play roles in the electron transfer process. The current review describes these roles in detail. Although challenging to understand and control, the potential of biomolecules in the corrosion process is huge, and the coming decades will witness significant progress in the field. As well as discussing the technologies available for investigating corrosion induction and its inhibition, we also point to gaps in this knowledge.