Biofouling control potential of tannic acid, ellagic acid, and epigallocatechin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and reverse osmosis membrane multispecies community

• TA, EG, and EA reduced biofilm by PAO1 and RO multispecies.
• Three phenolics had different optimal concentrations for biofilm control.
• All three phenolics can control biofilm formation till 96 h on RO membrane.
• Phenolics presenting evidence for the application in an industrial setting.

Exploring novel biological strategies to mitigate membrane biofouling is of great worth in order to allow sustainable performance of membrane systems for wastewater treatment. Here, the optimal biofilm prevention potential of three phenolic compounds, viz. tannic acid (TA), ellagic acid (EA), and epigallocatechin (EG) on polystyrene microtiter plate, glass surface, and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane coupons was investigated using Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and RO multispecies community. Biofilm formation was qualitatively and quantitatively assessed by crystal voilet assay and confocal microscopy [bacterial cells and the components of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)]. The three phenolic compounds had different optimal concentrations (TA 100 mg/L, EA 200 mg/L, and EG 200 mg/L) for biofilm control. Biofilm control was correlated with a reduction in EPS. The three phenolic compounds had no dispersal effect on 24 h-old PAO1 biofilms. Phenolic compounds also reduced multispecies biofilm formation of RO community. The data present strong evidence for the application of these phenolic compounds for the prevention of biofouling in an industrial setting.

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