Removal of biofilms by intermittent low-intensity ultrasonication triggered bursting of microbubbles.
Biofouling
; 30(3): 359-65, 2014.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24571133
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.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sonicação
/
Biofilmes
/
Microbolhas
/
Incrustação Biológica
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Biofouling
Assunto da revista:
BIOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2014
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Singapura