Fouling Weight Quantification in Antibacterial Polymeric Membrane During Protein Washwater Ultrafiltration–Synergetic Effects of Silver Nanoparticles and Chitosan

Controlling biofouling caused by bacterial growth onto the membrane surface and pores is essential when dealing with protein-based solutes to reduce cost and environmental impacts. Thus, this study was carried out to determine the effect of silver nanoparticles on fouling occurrence during surimi wash water ultrafiltration. Silver nanoparticles and chitosan were chosen as a bacteria inhibitor due to its remarkable antibacterial properties. The fouling weight represented the number of foulants attached to the membrane. These experiments were conducted by using the native PES membrane in comparison with the PES-Ag membrane, PES-Chitosan membrane, and PES-Ag-Chitosan membrane at a controlled condition where surimi wash water applied as a model protein. Foulant weight was significantly reduced by 56% for the PES-Ag-Chitosan membrane as compared to other membranes. It also indicates that silver nanoparticles and chitosan have the synergistic effect in overcoming the fouling contributed by both solutes depositions and bacterial growth as the total fouling weight of PES-Ag-chitosan is reduced almost 53% and 50% as compared to employing only chitosan and only silver nanoparticles, respectively.