Rethinking characterization, application, and importance of extracellular polymeric substances in water technologies
Sasmitha Aulia Zahra, Rozalia Persiani, Morten Kd Dueholm, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, Per Halkjær Nielsen, Thomas Seviour, Yuemei Lin
Abstract
Biofilms play important roles in water technologies such as membrane treatments and activated sludge. The extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are key components of biofilms. However, the precise nature of these substances and how they influence biofilm formation and behavior remain critical knowledge gaps. EPS are produced by many different microorganisms and span multiple biopolymer classes, which each require distinct strategies for characterization. The biopolymers additionally associate with each other to form insoluble complexes. Here, we explore recent progress toward resolving the structures and functions of EPS, where a shift towards direct functional assessments and advanced characterization techniques is necessary. This will enable integration with better microbial community and omics analyses to understand EPS biosynthesis pathways and create further opportunities for EPS control and valorization. • New EPS characterization methods provide deeper insights into their structure, composition, and function in biofilms. • Omics advancements enable species-resolved EPS biosynthesis predictions. • The applications of EPS is driven by its functionality and composition.