Characterisation of biofilm constituents and their effect on membrane filterability in MBRs

Fouling is still one of the main issues in the operation of membrane bioreactors (MBRs). While most attention has been paid to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP) in the bulk solution, changes in membrane filterability may be more adequately described by the structural characteristic of the fouling layer or biofilm. This study shows that membrane filterability and the rise in TMP is associated to the changes in the biofiom structure, and polysaccharides may be the most significant fraction that affects fouling.