Unlocking the Efficacy of Biofilm-Forming Isolates: A New Approach for Treatment of Industrial Sewage

Aim: The present work on biofilm examined the various applications of biofilm isolates in the sewage treatment by utilizing their capabilities to form biofilm.

Study Design: The biofilm samples were collected from various locations, brought to the laboratory for analysis followed by the isolation and identification of bacterial isolates. Among the isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa surface attached biofilm was utilized for sewage treatment and was subjected to pH, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) analysis prior to and following the treatment.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Sree Narayana Guru College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore for duration of 6 months.

Methodology: Biofilm-forming bacteria were isolated, identified and among them, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was identified by biochemical analysis and MALDI biotyping, was employed for their possible applications in the treatment of sewage. Prior to and following the treatment by means of surface-attached biofilm, the water samples have been observed to find out the pH, Total Suspended Solids, Dissolved Oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand and Chemical Oxygen Demand levels in order to detect the level of pollution.

Results: It was noted that pH, TSS, BOD and COD were considerably declined and DO was elevated in the sewage sample after the treatment with Pseudomonas biofilm signifying its potential for remediation of waste water.

Conclusion: The results showed that the concentrations of pollutants were decreased following the treatment with biofilm. This report suggests that the procedure used to treat waste water effluents was satisfactory. During the water treatment procedure, organic compounds in the sewage sample were consumed and removed by organisms present in the surface-attached biofilm, representing this technology as a cost-effective and environmental friendly solution for managing the wastewater.