Extracellular polymeric substance

Extracellular polymeric substance matrix formation in a biofilm

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are natural polymers of high molecular weight secreted by microorganisms into their environment.[1] EPSs establish the functional and structural integrity of biofilms, and are considered the fundamental component that determines the physicochemical properties of a biofilm.[2] EPS in the matrix of biofilms provides compositional support and protection of microbial communities from the harsh environments.[3] Components of EPS can be of different classes of polysaccharides, lipids, nucleic acids, proteins, lipopolysaccharides, and minerals.

  1. ^ Staudt C, Horn H, Hempel DC, Neu TR (December 2004). "Volumetric measurements of bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substance glycoconjugates in biofilms". Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 88 (5): 585–592. doi:10.1002/bit.20241. PMID 15470707.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Flemming1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Fulaz S, Vitale S, Quinn L, Casey E (November 2019). "Nanoparticle-Biofilm Interactions: The Role of the EPS Matrix". Trends in Microbiology. 27 (11): 915–926. doi:10.1016/j.tim.2019.07.004. PMID 31420126. S2CID 201042373.