Studies on the Disinfection and Removal of Biofilms by Ozone Water Using an Artificial Microbial Biofilm System

Inactivation rates of the biofilms of P. fluorescence and P. aeruginosa established on a small slide glass in ozone water (0.9-3.2 mg/L, 1-20 min) were determined in a batch or flow-through system. The effects of ozone water on the biofilm matrices were defined clearly in situ by confocal laser scanning microscopy. These results indicate that ozone is an effective biocide against biofilms and it can remove exopolysaccharides in the biofilm matrices. However, the effective concentration of ozone for disinfection of biofilms varied with the biofilms formed, mainly due to reactions of ozone with constituents of the biofilms.