Removal of biofilms by intermittent low-intensity ultrasonication triggered bursting of microbubbles

Biofouling. 2014;30(3):359-65. doi: 10.1080/08927014.2013.876624. Epub 2014 Feb 26.

Abstract

In this study, a chemical-free cleaning method for biofilms removal is presented, which is based on intermittent low-intensity ultrasonication (US) triggered bursting of microbubbles (MB) in such a sequence that MB were continuously introduced into the reaction vessel for 15 min, while US was activated for 2 s after every 2 min of microbubbling. It was found that the fixed biomass, and the extracellular proteins and polysaccharides of 24-h old biofilms grown on a nylon membrane surface were reduced, respectively, by 75, 79 and 72% after treatment by the US + MB method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis further revealed that the chemical composition of the biofilms was not altered by the US + MB treatment, suggesting that biofilms were removed through physical forces due to the generation of a shock wave and a high-speed water jet through US-triggered bursting of the MB. The proposed method can be considered a chemical-free technology for biofilm removal.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Adhesion
  • Biofilms*
  • Biofouling / prevention & control*
  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Microbubbles*
  • Sonication*
  • Wastewater / microbiology

Substances

  • Membranes, Artificial
  • Waste Water