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Xu B, Su Q, Yang Y, Huang S, Yang Y, Shi X, Choo KH, Ng HY, Lee CH. Quorum Quenching in Membrane Bioreactors for Fouling Retardation: Complexity Provides Opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39012227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence of biofouling restricts the widespread application of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment. Regulation of quorum sensing (QS) is a promising approach to control biofouling in MBRs, yet the underlying mechanisms are complex and remain to be illustrated. A fundamental understanding of the relationship between QS and membrane biofouling in MBRs is lacking, which hampers the development and application of quorum quenching (QQ) techniques in MBRs (QQMBRs). While many QQ microorganisms have been isolated thus far, critical criteria for selecting desirable QQ microorganisms are still missing. Furthermore, there are inconsistent results regarding the QQ lifecycle and the effects of QQ on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial communities of the mixed liquor and biofouling assemblages in QQMBRs, which might result in unreliable and inefficient QQ applications. This review aims to comprehensively summarize timely QQ research and highlight the important yet often ignored perspectives of QQ for biofouling control in MBRs. We consider what this "information" can and cannot tell us and explore its values in addressing specific and important questions in QQMBRs. Herein, we first examine current analytical methods of QS signals and discuss the critical roles of QS in fouling-forming microorganisms in MBRs, which are the cornerstones for the development of QQ technologies. To achieve targeting QQ strategies in MBRs, we propose the substrate specificity and degradation capability of isolated QQ microorganisms and the surface area and pore structures of QQ media as the critical criteria to select desirable functional microbes and media, respectively. To validate the biofouling retardation efficiency, we further specify the QQ effects on the physicochemical properties, microbial community composition, and succession of mixed liquor and biofouling assemblages in MBRs. Finally, we provide scale-up considerations of QQMBRs in terms of the debated QQ lifecycle, practical synergistic strategies, and the potential cost savings of MBRs. This review presents the limitations of classic QS/QQ hypotheses in MBRs, advances the understanding of the role of QS/QQ in biofouling development/retardation in MBRs, and builds a bridge between the fundamental understandings and practical applications of QQ technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Xu
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Qingxian Su
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Yuxin Yang
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Shujuan Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao, 266033, PR China
| | - Yue Yang
- Corporate Sustainability Office, TÜV SÜD, Westendstr. 199, 80686 München, Germany
| | - Xueqing Shi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao, 266033, PR China
| | - Kwang-Ho Choo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - How Yong Ng
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Chung-Hak Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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Wang R, An Z, Fan L, Zhou Y, Su X, Zhu J, Zhang Q, Chen C, Lin H, Sun F. Effect of quorum quenching on biofouling control and microbial community in membrane bioreactors by Brucella sp. ZJ1. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117961. [PMID: 37075636 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Quorum quenching (QQ) has been demonstrated to be a novel technique for controlling biofouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs), as it can significantly inhibit biofilm formation by disrupting quorum sensing (QS). The exploration of new QQ bacterial strains and the evaluation of their performance in mitigating membrane fouling in MBR systems is significant. In this study, an efficient QQ strain, Brucella sp. ZJ1 was encapsulated in alginate beads and evaluated for its ability to mitigate biofouling. The findings revealed that MBR with QQ beads extended the operation time by 2-3 times without affecting pollutant degradation. QQ beads maintained approximately 50% QQ activity after more than 50 days operation, indicating a long-lasting and endurable QQ effect. The QQ effect reduced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production especially in terms of polysaccharide and protein by more than 40%. QQ beads in the MBR also reduced the cake resistance and the irreversible resistance of membrane biofouling. Metagenomic sequencing suggests that QQ beads suppressed the QS effect and increased the abundance of QQ enzyme genes, ultimately inducing efficient membrane biofouling control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Zijing An
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Lu Fan
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 639798, Singapore
| | - Xiaomei Su
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Junjie Zhu
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Chongjun Chen
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China
| | - Hongjun Lin
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Faqian Sun
- College of Geography and Environmental Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China; Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, 215009, China.
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Shah SSA, Park H, Park HJ, Kim J, Mameda N, Choo KH. The relationship between quorum sensing dynamics and biological performances during anaerobic membrane bioreactor treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127930. [PMID: 36261999 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) enhance carbon neutrality with biomethane recovery from wastewater; however, microbial signaling, which may affect biological performances, was poorly understood. Here, we thus evaluate quorum sensing (QS) dynamics while monitoring acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) and autoinducer-2 (AI-2) levels during long-term AnMBR operations after sludge inoculation. Significant organic removal and methane production were achieved with the reactor startup. Signal molecule levels varied with transient organic loading rates, depending on their types. A starving condition may cause an increase in short- and medium-chain AHLs and AI-2. Biopolymers, biosolids, volatile fatty acids, and alkalinity levels had positive correlations with short- and medium-chain AHLs and AI-2, whereas methane production had positive correlations with long-chain AHLs. The principal component analysis of QS signal composition and biological performance data explains their interconnectivity. The findings of this study help to understand that QS signals regulate metabolic pathways in addition to microbial group behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Salman Ali Shah
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeona Park
- Advanced Institute of Water Industry, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyung-June Park
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinwoo Kim
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Naresh Mameda
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemistry, Collage of Engineering, Koneru Lakshmaih Education Foundation, Vaddeswaram, Andhra Pradesh 522302, India
| | - Kwang-Ho Choo
- School of Architectural, Civil, Environmental, and Energy Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Advanced Institute of Water Industry, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea.
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