Investigating the Causes, Control Strategies, Challenges, and Future Perspectives of Membrane Biofouling in...

In recent years, bacterial quorum quenching (QQ) has emerged as an effective strategy for reducing biofouling in membrane bioreactors (MBRs). Understanding microbial community dynamics is crucial for developing effective QQ strategies, as changes in these communities can significantly influence the risk of biofouling in the sludge. This study systematically investigates the formation, mechanisms, and regulatory strategies related to biofouling in MBRs. It offers a comprehensive analysis of quorum sensing (QS) mechanisms within microbial communities and their biofouling tendencies. Moreover, the interactions between quorum sensing, extracellular polymerization, and membrane biofouling are discussed. Additionally, the short-term addition of exogenous QQ was found to temporarily cause a reduction in the sludge's QQ capabilities, thereby increasing its susceptibility to membrane biofouling. The study concludes with future perspectives on managing biofouling in membrane bioreactors and provides recommendations for further research on leveraging QS-MBR systems to mitigate membrane biofouling.