Living Filtration Membranes Demonstrate Antibiofouling Properties

Membrane filters are excellent prospects for increasing global access to safe water; however, they significantly limited by fouling, particularly biofouling. Fouling plagues membranes reducing efficiency and maintenance costs. Biofouling is problematic due the self-replicating nature of microorganisms secretion extracellular polymeric substances that make biofilm difficult remove. Living filtration (LFMs) a sustainable membrane technology composed bacterial cellulose native microorganisms. In this study, natural water from Butte, Montana’s three municipal drinking sources (Basin Creek Reservoir, Moulton Big Hole River) was pretreated with coagulant used in 400 min bench-scale dead-end tests. Two were compared─an LFM commercial mixed ester (MCE) similar nominal pore size. Although MCE more hydrophilic had smoother surface, surface properties that, general, may improve fouling resistance certain particles, rapid flux decline live biomass observed all waters. We suggest LFM’s biofouling be proliferation bacteria, Acetobacter, which produces acetic acid, known antibiofilm antibacterial agent.