Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Characterization, Structure, and Function

by Wingender, Jost; Neu, Thomas R.; Flemming, Hans-Curt

• ISBN13: 9783540657200
• ISBN10: 3540657207
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are the key components for the aggregation of microorganisms in biofilms, flocs and sludge. They are composed of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and other biological macromolecules. EPS provide a highly hydrated gel matrix in which microbial cells can establish stable synergistic consortia. Cohesion and adhesion as well as morphology, structure, biological function and other properties such as mechanical stability, diffusion, sorption and optical properties of microbial aggregates are determined by the EPS matrix. Also, the protection of biofilm organisms against biocides is attributed to the EPS. Their matrix allows phase separation in biofiltration and is also important for the degradation of particulate material which is of great importance for the self purification processes in surface waters and for waste water treatment.

Table of Contents

What are Bacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances?	1	(21)
Jost Wingender
Thomas R. Neu
Hans-Curt Flemming
Introduction	1	(1)
Definitions of EPS	2	(2)
Composition, Secretion and Spatial Arrangement of EPS	4	(5)
Industrial and Clinical Importance of EPS	9	(1)
Bacterial Alginate - an Example of Bacterial EPS	10	(1)
Functions of EPS	11	(2)
Ecological Aspects of EPS	13	(8)
References	15	(6)
In Situ Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in Biofilm Systems	21	(28)
Thomas R. Neu
John R. Lawrence
Introduction	22	(1)
Traditional Approaches for Studying Microbial Polysaccharides	22	(1)
Change of Paradigms	22	(1)
In situ Methods	23	(1)
Destructive Analysis of EPS	23	(4)
Chemical Techniques	23	(1)
Extraction	23	(1)
Analysis	24	(1)
Electron Microscopy	24	(2)
Scanning Probe Techniques	26	(1)
Non-Destructive Analysis of EPS	27	(2)
Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR)	27	(1)
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR)	28	(1)
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM)	29	(1)
CLSM Approach	29	(4)
Probes for Analysis of EPS	29	(1)
Polysaccharides	30	(1)
Proteins	31	(1)
Nucleic Acids	32	(1)
Physicochemical Characterization of EPS Matrix	32	(1)
Charge Distribution	32	(1)
Hydrophobicity/Hydrophilicity	32	(1)
Permeability	33	(1)
EPE Bound and Associated Molecules	33	(1)
Image Analyses and Three-Dimensional Data Presentation	33	(3)
Analyses Techniques	34	(1)
Three-Dimensional Imaging	35	(1)
Three-Dimensional Display	35	(1)
Case Studies: In Situ Characterization of EPS	36	(4)
Limitations of Non-Destructive Analyses	40	(9)
FT-IR/ATR	40	(1)
NMR	41	(1)
CLSM	41	(1)
References	42	(7)
Extraction of EPS	49	(24)
Per H. Nielsen
Andreas Jahn
Introduction	50	(4)
Definition of EPS	50	(1)
Composition of EPS	51	(1)
Extraction Procedure	52	(2)
Sampling and Pretreatment	54	(1)
Sampling and Storage	54	(1)
Homogenization	54	(1)
Washing	54	(1)
Extraction of EPS	54	(7)
Selection of an Appropriate Extraction Method	55	(1)
Physical Methods	55	(3)
Chemical Methods	58	(3)
Combination of Physical and Chemical Methods	61	(1)
Contamination by Intracellular Macromolecules	61	(3)
Disruption of Macromolecules	64	(1)
Extraction Efficiency	65	(3)
Purification and Analysis	68	(1)
Conclusion	68	(5)
References	69	(4)
Biofilm Exopolysaccharides	73	(20)
Ian W. Sutherland
Introduction	73	(3)
Polysaccharide Composition and Structure	76	(5)
Promotion of Order and Gelation	81	(2)
Ionic Interactions	83	(1)
Synergistic Effects	83	(1)
Other Functions of Biofilm Exopolysaccharides	84	(3)
Dissolution of Physical Structures	87	(1)
Conclusions	88	(5)
References	89	(4)
Regulation of Matrix Polymer in Biofilm Formation and Dispersion	93	(26)
David G. Davies
Alginate Biosynthesis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa	93	(7)
Regulation of Alginate Biosynthetic Genes During Biofilm Development	100	(4)
Control of Biofilm Dispersion	104	(2)
Activation of Alginate Biosynthesis and Chemical Communication in Biofilms	106	(4)
P. aeruginosa Biofilm Life Cycle	110	(9)
References	112	(7)
Exopolymers of Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria	119	(8)
Iwona B. Beech
Rudi C. Tapper
Analysis and Function of the EPS from the Strong Acidophile Thiobacillus ferrooxidans	127	(16)
Wolfgang Sand
Tilman Gehrke
Introduction	127	(2)
Leaching Bacteria	129	(1)
Metal Sulfide Dissolution	130	(2)
EPS Analysis	132	(3)
Function of EPS	135	(3)
Conclusions	138	(5)
References	140	(3)
Physical and Chemical Properties of Extracellular Polysaccharides Associated with Biofilms and Related Systems	143	(12)
Bjorn E. Christensen
Introduction	143	(2)
Biopolymer Gels	145	(1)
Physical Characterization of Biofilms	146	(1)
Chemical and Biochemical Characterization of Biofilms	147	(2)
Bacterial Alginates	149	(6)
References	153	(2)
Chemical Communication Within Microbial Biofilms: Chemotaxis and Quorum Sensing in Bacterial Cells	155	(16)
Alan W. Decho
Introduction	155	(1)
Bacterial Chemotaxis and Initial Aggregations of Cells	156	(1)
Microspatial Patterns and Movement of Bacteria Within Biofilms	157	(1)
Bacterial Quorum Sensing: Induction and Regulation of Activities	158	(4)
Model Systems	159	(1)
Homoserine Lactone (Autoinducer) Signals	159	(1)
The Vibrio fischeri System	160	(1)
Other Chemical Signals	160	(1)
Conjugation and Pheromone-Inducible Gene Expression in Enterococcus faecalis	160	(1)
Cyanobacteria Systems	161	(1)
Functional Roles of Quorum Sensing	162	(1)
Specificity of Autoinduction Process	162	(1)
Enhancement of Chemotaxis and Quorum Sensing Processes by the Biofilm Matrix	162	(2)
The Biofilm as a Microbial Organism	164	(7)
References	165	(6)
Function of EPS	171	(30)
Gideon M. Wolfaardt
John R. Lawrence
Darren R. Korber
Introduction	172	(1)
Role of EPS in Cellular Associations	172	(5)
Suspended and Attached Cells	172	(1)
Coaggregation, Consortial Behavior, and Floc Formation	173	(1)
Biofilm Formation	174	(1)
Genetic Transfer	175	(2)
Role of EPS in Nutrition	177	(4)
Production of EPS as a Nutrient Reserve	178	(1)
Accumulation of Nutrients by EPS	178	(3)
Role of EPS in the Interaction of Microorganisms with their Biological, Physical, and Chemical Environment	181	(9)
EPS and the Micro-Environment	181	(2)
EPS as a Physical Barrier to Solute Translocation	183	(2)
Role in Enzyme Reactions	185	(1)
Role in Pathogenicity and Protection Against Host Defense Mechanisms	186	(1)
Protective Role Against Predation/Digestion	186	(2)
Microbial-Plant Associations	188	(1)
Effect of Environmental Conditions	189	(1)
EPS and the Macro-Environment	190	(4)
Stabilization of the Environment	190	(1)
Microbial-Mineral Interactions	191	(1)
Controls on Flow	192	(1)
Role of EPS in the Bio-Accumulation of Contaminants	193	(1)
Conclusions	194	(7)
References	195	(6)
Polysaccharases in Biofilms - Sources - Action - Consequences!	201	(16)
Ian W. Sutherland
Polysaccharases in Biofilms	201	(1)
Nature of Polysaccharases	202	(1)
Sources of Polysaccharases	202	(8)
The Endogenous Production of Polysaccharases	202	(3)
The Exogenous Production of Polysaccharases	205	(1)
Bacteriophage	205	(5)
Effects of Enzymes on Biofilms	210	(2)
Application of Enzymes to Biofilms	212	(5)
References	213	(4)
Extracellular Enzymes Within Microbial Biofilms and the Role of the Extracellular Polymer Matrix	217	(14)
Monica Hoffman
Alan W. Decho
Introduction: Importance of Extracellular Enzymes to Bacterial Cells and Organic Matter Processing	217	(2)
The Microbial Biofilm and Extracellular Polymers	219	(1)
Extracellular Polymers as a ``Sorptive Sponge'' and ``Colloidal Trap'' for High-Molecular-Weight Organic Matter	220	(1)
Localization of Enzymes by Extracellular Polymers: the ``Lectin-Localization Model''	221	(2)
``Extracellular Polymer Microdomains'' and the Stability of Extracellular Enzymes	223	(2)
Environmental Influences on Enzyme Activity	225	(1)
Biofilm Induction and Regulation of Extracellular Enzymes	225	(6)
Induction of Extracellular Enzymes at the Physiological Level	226	(1)
Regulation of Enzyme Activity by Extracellular Factors	226	(1)
References	227	(4)
Interaction Between Extracellular Polysaccharides and Enzymes	231	(16)
Jost Wingender
Karl-Erich Jaeger
Hans-Curt Flemming
Extracellular Enzymes in Biofilms	231	(4)
Mechanisms of Enzyme and Polysaccharide Secretion	235	(4)
Secretion of Enzymes	235	(1)
The ABC Pathway	236	(1)
The General Secretory Pathway	236	(2)
The Contact Site-Dependent Pathway	238	(1)
Secretion of Polysaccharides	239	(1)
Interaction of Enzymes with Extracellular Polysaccharides	239	(7)
Consequences of Enzyme-Polysaccharide Interactions in Biofilms	246	(1)
References	247