Effects of exogenous acylated homoserine lactones on biofilms in biofilters for gaseous toluene treatment

Highlights

● Biofilm formation was enhanced by exogenous AHLs.

● EPS production and microbial adhesive strength of biofilm were promoted.

● Exogenous AHLs improved the performance of biofilters treating toluene.

Abstract

Biofilters are typical biofilm reactors, and they usually have poor biofilm formation resulting in limited reactor performance. Exogenous acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs) can enhance biofilm formation in many bioreactors based on quorum sensing regulation. However, their effect on biofilm in biofilters utilized for volatile organic compound (VOC) removal is unknown and needs to be investigated. In this study, the effects of the exogenous AHLs on biofilters for gaseous toluene removal were investigated. Analysis of biofilms in biofilters showed that the addition of exogenous AHLs considerably enhanced biofilm growth; the average biofilm concentration increased by 18%. Furthermore, the average biofilm coverage proportions in biofilters with and without exogenous AHLs were 17 % and 13 %, respectively, demonstrating the positive effect of exogenous AHLs on biofilm coverage. In particular, exogenous AHLs promoted the production of extracellular polymeric substances and the microbial adhesive strength of the biofilm. In addition, the exogenous AHLs showed no significant effect on the gaseous toluene removal efficiency of the biofilter. These results show that exogenous AHLs can enhance biofilm formation and can guide the application of exogenous AHLs in VOC biofilters.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Quorum sensing / AHLs / Biofilter / Biofilm formation

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52070113), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20191480) and the Open Fund of Key Laboratory for Advanced Technology in Environmental Protection of Jiangsu Province (No. JBGS005).

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