title: Control and cleaning of membrane biofouling by energy uncoupling and cellular communication.
abstract: This study investigated possible biological control of membrane biofouling and membrane cleaning by disrupting energy metabolism of microorganisms. Results showed that 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP), a typical uncoupler, could not only significantly inhibit membrane biofouling but also enhance biofilm detachment from nylon membrane. Inhibited ATP synthesis by a chemical uncoupler resulted in lowered production of autoinducer-2 (AI-2). The standard dead-end microfiltration tests further confirmed that the reduced AI-2 was positively correlated to the reduced fouling resistance of nylon membranes. It appears that inhibition of energy metabolism would be a promising alternative for control and cleaning of membrane biofouling.
authors.affiliation: Division of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
authors.forename: Huijuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D019297:2,4-Dinitrophenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D006714:Homoserine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D007783:Lactones / Q000378:metabolism; D009757:Nylons; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014475:Uncoupling Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; C091088:N-octanoylhomoserine lactone; D009757:Nylons; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014475:Uncoupling Agents; D006714:Homoserine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D019297:2,4-Dinitrophenol