Synergy of sodium dodecyl sulfate and citric acid in removing bacterial biofilms in hydroponic farming facilities.

This article investigates the synergistic effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and citric acid (CA) in removing Salmonella biofilms from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surfaces in hydroponic agriculture systems. The study found that a combined sanitizer of 0.1% SDS and 1% CA effectively eliminated Salmonella biofilms, achieving reductions below detectable limits (>5.6 log reduction), outperforming either agent used alone. Microscopic and biochemical analyses revealed that this combination not only increased bacterial cell death but also significantly reduced the biofilm's extracellular polymeric substances, including proteins and polysaccharides, which contribute to biofilm stability. Validation in a laboratory hydroponic system demonstrated that this sanitizer combination also effectively removed naturally occurring microbiota without leaving toxic residues, suggesting its potential for safer and more sustainable hydroponic farming sanitation protocols.