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5.1
2.8
Journals
Processes
Special Issues
Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant
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Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Materials Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 May 2025 | Viewed by 4164

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ivana Gobin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: phytochemicals; antibacterial activity; water disinfection; water microbiology techniques; novel antibacterial agents from plants; anti-biofilm agents; disinfection methods
Dr. Dolores Peruč

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: antibacterial activity of phytochemicals; mycobacterium
Dr. Martina Oder

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: legionella pneumophila; legionnaires' disease; cooling towers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In drinking water distribution systems, microorganisms survive in biofilm communities. Biofilm formation is a significant problem to the drinking water industry as a potential source of bacterial contamination, including pathogens, and, in many cases, also affecting the taste and odor of drinking water and promoting the corrosion of pipes. The microorganisms embedded in the biofilm matrix show a high survival rate and persistence. Today's standard detection methods of water quality are not adequate for biofilm detection and analysis. In addition, their treatment is a big challenge, where re-growth occurs very often after classic treatments. Therefore, new research in the field of biofilm detection as well as biofilm treatment is necessary.

This Special issue aims to gather a collection of papers focused on new strategies to of biofilm detection and treatmant. We hope that this Special issue may contribute to disclose new promising approaches that could help as to prevent or eradicate bacterial biofilms in water distribution system.

The topics of interest for this Special Issue include (but are not limited to):

  • New approach in biofilm detection;
  • Anti-biofilm materials in water system;
  • Models for research biofilm in water systems;
  • Nanoparticles and biofilm formation;
  • Photodynamic treatment of biofilm;
  • Bacterial enzymes in biofilm treatment;
  • Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens - microbial residents of drinking water distribution systems.

Dr. Ivana Gobin
Dr. Dolores Peruč
Dr. Martina Oder
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • anti-biofilm agents
  • opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens
  • novel disinfection protocols
  • water disinfection
  • biofilm detection

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 16236 KiB  
Article
Treatment of Oily Effluents Using a Bacterial Cellulose Membrane as the Filter Bed
by Alexandre D’Lamare Maia de Medeiros, Cláudio José Galdino da Silva Junior, Italo José Batista Durval, Thais Cavalcante de Souza, Yasmim de Farias Cavalcanti, Andréa Fernanda de Santana Costa and Leonie Asfora Sarubbo
Processes 2024, 12(8), 1542; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12081542 - 23 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1024
Abstract
One of the main challenges in the treatment of industrial wastewater is the removal of oil-in-water emulsions, which are stable and therefore difficult to treat. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has structural characteristics that make it an ideal filtration membrane. Several research projects are underway [...] Read more.
One of the main challenges in the treatment of industrial wastewater is the removal of oil-in-water emulsions, which are stable and therefore difficult to treat. Bacterial cellulose (BC) has structural characteristics that make it an ideal filtration membrane. Several research projects are underway to develop new materials, both biotechnological and traditional, for use in filter beds. The study examined the potential of a BC membrane filtration system for treating oily industrial wastewaters, an underexplored biomaterial in wastewater treatment. The results demonstrated that BC is highly effective at removing oily contaminants (~99%), reducing the colour and particulate matter of wastewater, as well as eliminating nearly the entire microbiological load (~99%). SEM, MEV, FTIR, XRD, and TGA confirmed the presence of oil in the interior of the membrane after filtration, characteristic peaks of its chemical composition, and a 40% reduction in crystallinity. TGA revealed an increase from three (pre-filtration) to five (post-filtration) stages of thermal degradation, indicating the retention of the contaminant in the BC. The mechanical tests demonstrated that the membrane has a tensile strength of 72.13 ± 8.22 MPa and tolerated elongation of up to 21.11 ± 4.81% prior to tearing. The BC membrane also exhibited excellent flexibility, as it could be folded >100 times at the same point without exhibiting signs of tearing. The BC surpasses traditional methods, such as activated charcoal and effluent treatment stations, in the removal of emulsified oils. The findings demonstrate that BC is promising for the treatment of industrial wastewaters, which is a field that requires continual technological innovations to mitigate the environmental impacts of the oil industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant)
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17 pages, 2666 KiB  
Article
Combined Application of Juniperus communis Essential Oil and Amikacin, Clarithromycin and Rifampicin against Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare
by Dolores Peruč, Sanja Štifter-Vretenar, Ana Planinić and Ivana Gobin
Processes 2024, 12(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12010111 - 2 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1261
Abstract
The group of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) includes about 200 mycobacteria that are widespread in the natural environment as free-living saprophytic bacteria, commensals or symbionts. NTM, also referred to as atypical mycobacteria, are mostly apathogenic; nowadays, they are increasingly important environmental opportunistic pathogens. This [...] Read more.
The group of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) includes about 200 mycobacteria that are widespread in the natural environment as free-living saprophytic bacteria, commensals or symbionts. NTM, also referred to as atypical mycobacteria, are mostly apathogenic; nowadays, they are increasingly important environmental opportunistic pathogens. This study continues the work of previous studies which investigated the individual and synergistic effect of different essential oils (EOs) on NTM. The aim was to investigate the effect of the interaction of the common juniper (Juniperus communis) EO and the antimicrobials, amikacin, clarithromycin and rifampicin, against Mycobacterium avium and M. intracellulare using the checkerboard synergy method in an enriched Middlebrook 7H9 broth. Morphological changes of treated NTM cells were observed with a transmission electron microscope. The most synergistic combinations were found at subinhibitory concentrations of the common juniper EO and rifampicin against both tested NTM and this EO and clarithromycin against M. avium. A slightly smaller number of synergistic effects on both NTM were found using a combination of this EO and amikacin. Combinations of clarithromycin and the common juniper EO showed no synergism against M. intracellulare. The exposure of both NTM to synergistic combinations of this EO and antimicrobials caused significant morphological changes in mycobacterial cells. Synergism with the combined use of EOs and antimicrobials allows the use of low effective concentrations via the sustained antimicrobial effect of the tested substances, but with potentially reduced toxicity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant)
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Review

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32 pages, 3709 KiB  
Review
Photodynamic Inactivation of Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens and Their Biofilms
by Martina Mušković, Ivana Gobin and Nela Malatesti
Processes 2023, 11(11), 3074; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113074 - 26 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1428
Abstract
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) form a group of microorganisms that normally live in water supply systems and have adapted especially well to the conditions in premise plumbing systems, and as such pose a threat to human health. Since the beginning of the [...] Read more.
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) form a group of microorganisms that normally live in water supply systems and have adapted especially well to the conditions in premise plumbing systems, and as such pose a threat to human health. Since the beginning of the 21st century, this threat has been escalating, and it is becoming increasingly evident that current water disinfection methods fall short in effectively controlling these pathogens. In researching new approaches to this emergency, phototherapy looks promising, especially one that combines photosensitizers, light, and oxygen, which is known as photodynamic inactivation (PDI). This review describes the main characteristics of the recognized (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycobacterium avium) and most important emerging OPPPs, and it offers a brief overview of current disinfection methods and their limitations in the fight against OPPPs. The principle and outcomes of PDI with endogenous and, in particular, exogenous photosensitizers are then explained and described through representative examples of PDI on recognized and emerging OPPPs and their biofilms. Finally, the prospects and future directions of PDI research in water disinfection and control of OPPPs are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant)
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