Water Science & Technology Vol 66 No 7 pp 1424–1430 © IWA Publishing 2012 doi:10.2166/wst.2012.307

Biofouling control by quorum sensing inhibition and its dependence on membrane surface

Mijin Kim, Sangyoup Lee, Hee-deung Park, Suing-il Choi and Seungkwan Hong

Biofouling control by quorum sensing (QS) inhibition and the influence of membrane surface characteristics on biofilm formation and QS inhibition were investigated. Pseudomonas putida isolated from the bio-fouled reverse osmosis (RO) membranes in a real plant was used. Acylase was chosen as a model QS inhibitor. Bacteria on the membrane coupons were quantified with the heterotrophic plate count method. Cell distribution was imaged by a confocal laser scanning microscope. Results showed that biofilm formation on the membrane was reduced by acylase as it inhibits the activity of N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) which is a signal molecule of QS. It was also shown that membrane surface characteristics were influential factors affecting bacterial adhesion, biofilm formation, and QS inhibition.

Keywords: acylase; biofouling; Pseudomonas putida; quorum sensing; reverse osmosis (RO) membrane

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