Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Ecological Disturbance02:26

Ecological Disturbance

21.1K
An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.
21.1K
Deleterious Substances in Aggregate01:25

Deleterious Substances in Aggregate

561
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
561
Ecological Succession02:17

Ecological Succession

21.6K
Ecological succession is influenced by the processes of facilitation, inhibition, and toleration. Facilitation occurs when early successional species create more favorable ecological conditions for subsequent species, such as enhanced nutrient, water, or light availability. In contrast, inhibition happens when early successional species create unfavorable ecological conditions for potential successive species, such as limiting resource availability. In some cases, later successional species...
21.6K
The Soil Ecosystem02:23

The Soil Ecosystem

24.8K
Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:
24.8K
Ecological Niches02:02

Ecological Niches

26.7K
All organisms have a position within an ecosystem. The complete set of living and nonliving factors—including food resources, climate, and terrain—that define the position of a given organism are collectively referred to as the organism’s ecological niche.
26.7K
The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

89.2K
Overview
89.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Chemical dialogues at the crossroads of host-bacteria interactions.

Trends in microbiology·2026
Same author

Morphological plasticity of endophytic Chitinophaga pinensis.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek·2026
Same author

Decoding the adaptive strategies of versatile diazotrophs to multi-metal(loid) stress in mercury-mining impacted farmland soils.

Journal of hazardous materials·2026
Same author

Specific Metabolites Modulate Core Microbes and Microbial Interactions to Drive Fomesafen Dissipation in the Soybean Rhizosphere.

Journal of agricultural and food chemistry·2026
Same author

Siderophore-producing Bacillus and free-living nematodes are associated with soil suppressiveness to banana root-knot nematodes.

Nature communications·2026
Same author

Land Use Change Reshapes Climate-Driven Diversity Patterns of Tropical Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi.

Molecular ecology·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge
06:10

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge

Published on: September 26, 2016

23.8K

Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation.

Ohana Y A Costa1,2, Jos M Raaijmakers1,2, Eiko E Kuramae1

  • 1Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, Netherlands.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|August 8, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Microbial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are vital biopolymers that improve soil structure and plant health by enhancing soil aggregation and moisture retention. This review explores their ecological roles and agricultural applications.

Keywords:
EPS productionbiosynthesisecological functionsmicroorganismssoil aggregation

More Related Videos

High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities
12:33

High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities

Published on: November 15, 2013

48.4K
Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays
15:23

Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays

Published on: October 1, 2013

40.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 6, 2026

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge
06:10

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge

Published on: September 26, 2016

23.8K
High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities
12:33

High-throughput Fluorometric Measurement of Potential Soil Extracellular Enzyme Activities

Published on: November 15, 2013

48.4K
Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays
15:23

Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays

Published on: October 1, 2013

40.4K

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Soil Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are hydrated polymers primarily composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA.
  • EPS are crucial for microbial survival, offering protection against environmental stressors and facilitating nutrient cycling.
  • These biopolymers play a significant role in soil health by promoting the aggregation of soil particles, thereby improving soil structure and fertility.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the ecological functions of microbial EPS.
  • To explore the applications of microbial EPS in agricultural soils.
  • To highlight the importance of EPS in improving soil particle aggregation, soil structure, health, and fertility.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on microbial EPS.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on the ecological roles of EPS.
  • Examination of research on the application of EPS in agriculture.

Main Results:

  • Microbial EPS contribute significantly to soil particle aggregation, a key factor in soil structure and health.
  • EPS enhance soil moisture retention and nutrient availability, benefiting plant growth.
  • Despite their potential, the widespread industrial application of EPS, particularly in agriculture, remains limited.

Conclusions:

  • Microbial EPS possess valuable properties for agricultural applications, especially in enhancing soil aggregation and fertility.
  • Further research and development are needed to overcome barriers to the widespread adoption of EPS in agriculture.
  • Harnessing the potential of microbial EPS can lead to more sustainable agricultural practices and improved soil health.