Targeting N-acyl-homoserine-lactones to mitigate membrane biofouling based on quorum sensing using a biofouling reducer

► Quorum sensing (QS) activity was found in MBR. ► Increase in EPS and TMP was observed with AHL activity. ► PBE was verified to mitigate membrane biofouling based on QS. ► PBE could be a novel agent to target AHLs for mitigation of membrane biofouling.