Complex Biofilm Removal from Stainless Steel Surfaces

Microbial aggregates can easily attach onto the stainless steel surfaces of the industrial and medical installations and form biofilms, which can cause serious environmental problems and threat human health. In this study, biofilms were cultured on stainless steel surfaces with municipal wastewater and treated by different methods, such as biocides, surfactants, enzymes, UV-ray as well as the combinations of these methods, respectively. The biofilm removal efficiency of each treatment method was evaluated. Experimental results showed that the combinations of these methods performed better than when used a single method alone. SEM photographs showed that cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) destroyed the cross-link of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and enhanced the biofilm removal efficiency of the other agents or methods used in this study.