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Antibacterial Properties of Polysulfone Membranes Blended with Arabic Gum

Souhir Sabri1, Ahmad Najjar2, Yehia Manawi3

  • 1Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), P.O. Box 34110 Doha, Qatar. ssabri@hbku.edu.qa.

Membranes
|February 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Arabic gum (AG) blended polysulfone (PS) membranes show strong antibacterial properties. These novel membranes effectively prevent bacterial attachment and growth, offering excellent biofouling resistance for water treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Membrane Technology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Polysulfone (PS) membranes are widely used in water treatment but are susceptible to biofouling.
  • Biofouling reduces membrane efficiency and lifespan, necessitating strategies for enhanced resistance.
  • Arabic gum (AG) is a natural polysaccharide with potential for modifying membrane properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize polysulfone membranes blended with varying concentrations of Arabic gum (AG).
  • To evaluate the antibacterial properties and biofouling resistance of the synthesized PS/AG membranes against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
  • To investigate the effect of AG incorporation on the structural and surface properties of PS membranes.

Main Methods:

  • Phase inversion method was used to synthesize PS/AG membranes with different AG loadings.
  • Antibacterial efficacy was tested against *Escherichia coli*, *Klebsiella pneumonia*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*, and *Staphylococcus aureus*.
  • Membrane surface morphology and properties were analyzed using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and changes in hydrophilicity and zeta potential were assessed.

Main Results:

  • AG addition significantly altered the porous structure, hydrophilicity, and zeta potential of PS membranes.
  • PS/AG membranes exhibited a pronounced decrease in bacterial attachment compared to bare PS and commercial membranes.
  • The antibacterial effect was dependent on AG loading, with the highest efficacy observed at 7 wt.% AG.
  • Inhibition of bacterial attachment and growth was observed for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Conclusions:

  • Polysulfone membranes blended with Arabic gum demonstrate significant antibacterial properties and enhanced resistance to biofouling.
  • The amphiphilic nature of AG macromolecules contributes to the observed improvements in membrane performance.
  • These novel PS/AG membranes show great promise for advanced water treatment applications requiring robust biofouling control.
Keywords:
arabic gumbiofoulingmembrane hydrophilicitypolysulfone membranessurface charge

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