Table 1 Efficacy of various environmentally friendly processes used for the removal of biofilms

P. aeruginosa and S. aureus

Cleaning with detergents, followed by high-pressure wash and mechanical scrubbing [11]

< 3

20 min soak detergent + 1 min wash + <1 min scrub

P. aeruginosa and K. pneumoniae

Treatment with multiple chemicals (chelating agents, hypochlorites etc.) [12]

1–3 depending on chemical used

1 hr

Pseudomonas fluorescens

Combination of Enzymes (proteolytic + polysaccharide-degrading enzymes) [13]

2-4

2 hrs

P. aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus

Ultrasound [15]

1.02 – 1.48

10 minutes

E. coli and S. aureus

Chelating Agents (EDTA / EGTA) and Ultrasound [14]

~ 2

Unknown soak time; 10–60s sonication

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Biocides (Chemicals) + Electric Field [16]

3

12 hours

E. coli

High Pressure CO₂ / N₂ aerosols [17]

1-2

90 s

P. aeruginosa

Our Method (Rapid combustion of a sprayed on layer of nano-energetic materials)

> 5

~ 1 min spray; < 1 s burn