Evaluation of biofouling potential of microorganism using flow field-flow fractionation (Fl-FFF)

The adhesion property of Pseudomonas putida on reverse osmosis (RO) membranes was systematically investigated using the asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFl-FFF). The adhesion of P. putida on two different RO membranes was investigated by varying the salt concentration of carrier solution to evaluate the effect of ionic strengths and membrane characteristics on the biofouling potential of RO membranes. The elution peak in terms of peak retention time and area obtained from AsFl-FFF analysis was used to evaluate the adhesion tendency of P. putida under different solution ionic conditions. Results showed that P. putida was favorably attached to RO membranes at higher ionic strengths. Hydrophobic RO membrane exhibited more adhesive property to P. putida compared to the tested hydrophilic membrane under the lower ionic strength condition. The effect of solution ionic strength on the adhesion tendency was more influential than membrane characteristics. In addition, the influence of ionic strength variation on adhesion tendency was more sensitive to hydrophilic membranes than hydrophobic membranes.