Nature’s architects: a comprehensive review of extracellular polymeric substances and their diverse applications

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) play a crucial role in various applications, especially in wastewater treatment. This review explores the importance of EPS in modern treatment methods, emphasizing its organic polymeric nature and properties that aid in effective pollutant removal and resource conservation. The study focuses on biological strategies utilizing microbial and bacterial communities, as well as electrolyte precipitate systems containing various components such as uronic acids, proteins, and carbohydrates that are essential for treatment processes. This review also describes the complex mechanisms regulating EPS biosynthesis, highlighting the impact of factors such as temperature, light intensity, and carbon to nitrogen ratio on EPS production. These findings emphasizes the influence of carbon supply and nitrogen sources on EPS formation, shedding light on the relationship between environmental conditions and EPS synthesis. In addition, this study discusses the significance of EPS extraction techniques for maintaining material integrity. Furthermore, the review explores the broad applications of EPS beyond wastewater treatment, including soil aggregation, pharmaceuticals, the food industry, and sustainable energy generation through EPS-driven microbial fuel cells. Understanding the diverse functions of EPS has the potential to improve environmental practices, mitigate climate change effects, and enhance industrial processes towards sustainability and efficiency. The versatility of EPS underscores its transformative impact on environmental and industrial practices.

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