The decline in the performance of spiral-wound reverse osmosis (SWRO) membranes is frequently due to biofouling. This study focus on qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of SWRO membrane biofouling. Bacterial counts on the different surfaces of the fouled membranes were carried out. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) was performed to highlight clogging materials as well as their natures and identity. The topography of the fouled membranes and the structures of biofilms were visualized by fluorescence microscopy (FM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated the presence of bacteria in the different SWRO membrane areas. Those strongly adhered were significantly higher than those weakly. It varied between 26 × 10⁵ and 262 × 10⁵ CFU m⁻². However, SERS mapping showed different fouling levels and the thickness of the fouling layer was 5 µm. Microscopic imaging revealed biotic and abiotic deposits. These data can together allow better management of the seawater desalination process.

Nanofiltration and reverse osmosis are two of the most effective surface water treatment processes. They provide water of high quality and eliminate a large amount of microorganisms, organic matter and micropollutants. However, the main limitation of membrane nanofiltration is fouling, which imposes an additional cost. This study focused on the search for microorganisms capable of reducing the performance of nanofilters and also to study autoaggregation and biofilms formation by bacterial strains isolated from the nanomembranes used in the seawater desalination plant of Souk Tlata (Algeria). It provides new microbiological data on the desalination of seawater in the southern Mediterranean basin. The results revealed 14 bacterial species isolated from six fouled reverse osmosis membranes; their quantities were significant with the dominance of Raoultella sp., Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus sp., Stenotrophomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., and Escherichia coli. In addition, electron imaging of nanomembrane surfaces revealed complex structures of microorganisms forming biofilms.

Candida albicans is often implicated in nosocomial infections with fatal consequences. Its virulence is contributed to hydrolytic enzymes and biofilm formation. Previous research focused on studying these virulence factors individually. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of biofilm formation on the hydrolytic activity using an adapted low-cost method. Eleven strains of C. albicans were used. The biofilms were formed on pre-treated silicone discs using 24-well plates and then deposited on the appropriate agar to test each enzyme, while the planktonic cells were conventionally seeded. Biofilms were analysed using Raman spectroscopy, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopy. The adapted method provided an evaluation of hydrolytic enzymes activity in C. albicans biofilm and showed that sessile cells had a higher phospholipase and proteinase activities compared with planktonic cells. These findings were supported by spectroscopic and microscopic analyses, which provided valuable insights into the virulence mechanisms of C. albicans during biofilm formation.