The presence of low fouling-causing bacteria can lead to decreased membrane fouling potentials of mixed cultures

Presence of low fouling-causing bacteria (FCB) in a dual-species culture remarkably reduced membrane fouling potential of high FCB via interspecies interactions. The Fourier transform infrared analyses reveal that low FCB can modulate the extracellular polymeric substances functional groups of high/low FCB mixed cultures, which in turn alleviate membrane fouling. This suggests that isolation and application of low FCB in membrane bioreactors can be a promising method for membrane fouling control via specific cell-to-cell interactions.

Automated summary

The presence of low fouling-causing bacteria in a dual-species culture can significantly reduce the membrane fouling potential of high fouling-causing bacteria through interspecies interactions. Fourier transform infrared analyses show that low fouling-causing bacteria can modulate the extracellular polymeric substances functional groups of high/low fouling-causing bacteria mixed cultures, thereby alleviating membrane fouling. Isolation and application of low fouling-causing bacteria in membrane bioreactors can be a promising method for membrane fouling control through specific cell-to-cell interactions.