Control of membrane‐attached biofilms using surfactants

Abstract

The effect of surfactants on membrane-attached biofilms (MABs) was studied in a lab-scale extractive membrane bioreactor (EMB). Twenty-two surfactants were screened for their potential of increasing the cell wall negative charge (i.e. the electrostatic repulsion between bacteria) of Burkholderia sp. JS150 bacterial strain. Surfactants resulting in increased bacterial negative charge were further investigated for their effects on MAB population morphology and MAB attachment behaviour. Microscopic investigation of the bacterial population in MABs showed that surfactants affect the development of flagella, suggesting changes in the attachment capability of the JS150 strain in the presence of different surfactants. Among the screened surfactants, teepol showed the best characteristics in relation to the reduction of MAB accumulation, and it was tested in an EMB system for the extraction of monochlorobenzene from a synthetic wastewater. Comparison with a control EMB, operated without surfactants under the same conditions, proved that teepol effectively reduces MAB accumulation on the membrane walls. As a result, the overall mass transfer coefficient in the presence of teepol was 53% higher than in the control EMB.

Short Palate, Lung, and Nasal Epithelial Clone 1 Has Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities against the Burkholderia cepacia Complex

“…3A and B). Surfactants change flagellar development, leading to altered bacterial attachment and altered biofilm formation (30,60). SPLUNC1 has surfactant activity (21,32), which may play a role in antibiofilm activity.…”

Bismuth dimercaptopropanol (BisBAL) inhibits the expression of extracellular polysaccharides and proteins by Brevundimonas diminuta: Implications for membrane microfiltration

“…For example, EPS have been shown to mediate bacterial attachment on membrane filters thereby deteriorating their performance (Frank and Belfort, 2003;Le-Clech et al, 2006;Ridgway and Flemming, 1996;Ridgway et al, 1999). More detailed analysis of EPS components is warranted so that novel membrane biofouling control strategies can be developed and existing ones optimized such as using surfactants, high-shear tangential flow, backwashing, and air scour (Brou et al, 2003;Campbell et al, 1999;Chellam et al, 1998;Cornelissen et al, 2007;Kuberkar et al, 1998;Naja et al, 2006;Rodgers and Sparks, 1992;Splendiani et al, 2006). This study continues our recent investigations of microfiltration (MF) biofouling (Chellam and Xu, 2006;Xu and Chellam, 2005) wherein we present detailed analysis of EPS constituents and further evidence of EPS-induced reduction in backwashing effectiveness.…”

Microbial Biofilms in Endodontics

“…Several studies have reported that surface preconditioning with biocides has the potential to prevent bacterial adhesion [ 57 , 78 ]. For example, it was shown that biocides can increase the cell wall charge of bacteria and therefore reduce their ability to attach and form biofi lms [ 78 ].…”