title: Analysis of the microbial community structure in a membrane bioreactor during initial stages of filtration.
abstract: Membrane biofouling was investigated during the early stages of filtration in a laboratory-scale membrane bioreactor operated on molasses wastewater. The bacterial diversity and composition of the membrane biofilm and activated sludge were analyzed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism coupled with 16S rRNA clone library construction and sequencing. The amount of extracellular polymeric substances produced by bacteria was investigated using spectroscopic methods. The results reveal that the bacterial community of activated sludge differs significantly from that of the membrane biofilm, especially at the initial phase. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences identified 25 pioneer OTUs responsible for membrane surface colonization. Also, the relationship between the identified bacterial strains and the system specifications was explored.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kasteelpark Arenberg 23, PO Box 2461, Heverlee 3001, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piasecka
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Souffreau
authors.forename: Katrien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vandepitte
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vanysacker
authors.forename: Roil M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Bilad
authors.forename: Tom De
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Bie
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hellemans
authors.forename: Luc De
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Meester
authors.forename: Xinxin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Priscilla
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Declerck
authors.forename: Ivo F J
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Vankelecom
mesh_terms: D054458:Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D018441:Biofilms; D057219:Biofouling; D019149:Bioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D058448:Biota; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D005374:Filtration; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008965:Molasses / Q000382:microbiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011108:Polymers; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D013450:Sulfones; C017662:polysulfone P 1700