d-Amino acid mitigated membrane biofouling and promoted biofilm detachment

This study investigated the effect of d-tyrosine on membrane biofouling from both inhibited microbial attachment onto and promoted biofilm detachment from nylon membrane surfaces. Results showed that d-tyrosine at the concentrations studied did not influence microbial growth, substrate utilization and the synthesis of cellular ATP, but significantly inhibited production of autoinducer-2 and extracellular polymeric substances, and reduced microbial attachment onto nylon membrane surfaces was observed. Detachment of biofilms precultured on membrane surface was also observed when exposed to d-tyrosine solutions. These indicate that d-tyrosine was able to mitigate membrane biofouling and promote biofilm detachment through inhibition of cellular communication and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) production.

► d-Tyrosine was shown for the first time potential to control membrane biofouling.
► d-Tyrosine did not influence microbial growth and energy metabolism.
► Inhibited AI-2 and EPS were responsible for the mitigated membrane biofouling.