title: Biofouling control by quorum sensing inhibition and its dependence on membrane surface.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: School of Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering, Korea University, 1, 5-ga, Anam-Dong, Sungbuk-Gu, Seoul, 136-713, Korea.
authors.forename: Mijin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sangyoup
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hee-Deung
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Suing-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Seungkwan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000378:metabolism; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D018441:Biofilms; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053038:Quorum Sensing
chemical_list: C088386:homoserine lactone; D015107:4-Butyrolactone