Minimizing bacterial adhesion on membrane: Multiscale characterization of surface modifications

The control of biofouling is required to improve membranes performances for water filtration. In this context, developing bioinspired approaches modify and give them antifouling properties an interesting alternative. study, we elaborated new anti-biofouling by coating with vanillin, a natural bioactive molecule acting as Quorum Sensing Inhibitor (QSI). First, the adsorption vanillin filtration was optimized obtain homogeneous surface modifications. modified were then characterized in terms physical-chemical properties: results showed that they more hydrophobic exhibited 14% decrease pure flux. Then, their anti-fouling evaluated using complementary multiscale characterization methodologies; AFM single-cell experiments had effect on both probability bacterial cells adhere surface, force adhesion. Direct EFM SEM observation adhesion assays further confirmed vanillin-modified at population-scale which coverage rate up 50%. Altogether, it confirms multifunctionality vanillin-coated against biofouling: reduction initial changing biofilm formation quorum sensing inhibition.