Inhibition of Quorum Sensing to Mitigate the Risks of Membrane Biofouling in Biological Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Membrane-based systems play a pivotal role in various applications, providing efficient separation, purification, and filtration processes across diverse industries such as water purification and desalination. However, this system faces major challenge of membrane biofouling impacting the efficiency and sustainability of such systems. Biofouling occurs when various microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, etc. adheres to the surface of membrane and form biofilm which results in reducing membrane permeability and increasing its operational cost. Various physical, chemical and biological strategies are known to prevent biofouling. Inhibition of quorum sensing is a recent trend based on the researches that shows quorum sensing as an integral part of biofilm formation. Bacteria’s uses cell to cell communication mechanisms known as Quorum sensing, plays an important role in formation of virulence factors, biofilm. It is regulated by quorum sensing signalling molecules known as autoinducers like Autoinducing peptides, acyl homoserine lactones, Autoinducer-2. Various strategies can be adopted to inhibit quorum sensing: inhibition of Autoinducer synthase which is responsible for synthesizing autoinducers; inhibition/degradation of autoinducers and interfering with signal receptors. This article provides deeper knowledge of Quorum sensing (QS), methods of QS inhibition: Quorum quenching which involves the enzymatic degradation of QS signaling molecules, and the use of Quorum sensing inhibitor compounds in preventing membrane biofouling are discussed in detail. This article delves into the potential of disrupting quorum sensing pathways to prevent or reduce biofilm formation, thereby enhancing the performance and longevity of membranes in wastewater treatment. The mitigation of biofouling can revolutionize membrane-based systems, ensuring their sustainability and efficacy in water treatment processes