Characterization of adhesive exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa under starvation conditions

Pseudomonas aeruginosa synthesizes large quantities of exopolysaccharide (EPS), making it an excellent model organism for the study of EPS-mediated adhesion. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of limited nutrients availability in the culture medium on the composition of EPS produced by P. aeruginosa. The relationship between the EPS production and the adhesion process of the P. aeruginosa cells to stainless steel surface (type 316 L) under starvation conditions were also examined. In all experimental variants P. aeruginosa produced more EPS with an increase of incubation period upon starvation conditions. Under limited nutrients condition, glucose dominated in the EPS materials. After 6 days of the process, only glucosyl units were detected in the extracellular matrix produced by nutrient-deprived P. aeruginosa cells. These extracellular molecules promoted more advanced stages of P. aeruginosa biofilm formation on the surface of stainless steel.