Evaluation Of Alginate Magnetic Nanoparticle Beads For Immobilization Of Quorum Quenching Bacteria Isolated From Dairy Industry Wastewater To Alleviate Biofouling

Abstract

iv newlineABSTRACT newlineEvaluation of alginate magnetic nanoparticle beads for immobilization of quorum quenching bacteria isolated from dairy industry wastewater to alleviate biofouling newlineName of the student : Jaskiran Kaur newlineRegistration Number : CUP/M.Ph-Ph.D/SEES/EVS/2010-11/02 newlineDegree for which submitted : Doctor of Philosophy newlineName of the supervisor : Dr. Yogalakshmi K.N. newlineName of Centre : Environmental Science and Technology newlineName of School : Environment and Earth Sciences newlineKey words : Membrane bioreactor, Membrane biofouling, Quorum sensing, Acyl homoserine lactone, Quorum quenching, Immobilization, Magnetic iron nanoparticles newlineMembrane fouling is one of the prominent problem of membrane bioreactors (MBR) during wastewater treatment. Biofouling caused by the bacterial biofilm formation on the membrane surface is considered as one of the major contributor of the overall membrane fouling process. Reduction in hydraulic performance; increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP) and shortening of membrane s life span are some of the widely encountered adverse effects of biofouling on membrane systems. Various approaches including membrane backwashing, cleaning of membranes employing numerous chemicals, variation in hydrodynamic conditions and membrane modification have been explored to mitigate fouling. But membrane biofouling being a complex multistage process is not effectively eradicated by these approaches. Additionally, the problems of chemical toxicity, foulant accumulation within membrane pores also facilitates the need for development of effective technologies for biofouling control. newlineBacterial acyl homoserine (AHL) based quorum sensing (QS) mechanism is considered as the regulatory phenomenon for biofilm formation. However, these signalling molecules are disrupted by a special group of bacteria termed the quorum quenching bacteria through the phenomena of quorum quenching (QQ). This phenomenon has been recognized as a promising method to control the problem of membrane biofouling. The QQ bacteria co-exist with the QS bacteria i