Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Extraction of Structural Extracellular Polymeric Substances from Aerobic Granular Sludge
Published on: September 26, 2016
Changes in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content and composition in aerobic granule size-fractions during
Paulina Rusanowska1, Agnieszka Cydzik-Kwiatkowska1, Piotr Świątczak1
1Department of Environmental Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Słoneczna 45G, 10-709 Olsztyn, Poland.
Abstract:
This study aimed to systematically investigate the effect of organic loading on granule diameters, and on the composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in granules in various size-fractions at the beginning and end of the cycle of granular sludge sequencing batch reactor (GSBR). The organic loadings were 0.78 kg COD/(m3·d) (GSBR1), 1.16 kg COD/(m3·d) (GSBR2) and 1.53 kg COD/(m3·d) (GSBR3). Granules with a diameter of 0.5-1 mm had the most stable EPS content and composition. The smallest granules had the largest amount of bound EPS. The amount of loosely-bound EPS increased as granule diameters decreased; it was lowest in the famine phase at end of the cycle. The proteins/polysaccharides ratio decreased below 1 only in soluble EPS in the famine period. In GSBR1, granules with a diameter <0.5 mm predominated, and the increase in soluble EPS at end of the cycle was most substantial resulting in the lowest COD removal.
Related Concept Videos
The Extracellular Matrix
Classifying Matter by Composition
According to its composition, the matter can be classified into two broad categories — pure substances and mixtures.
A pure substance is a form of matter that has a constant composition throughout with uniform properties. For example, any sample of sucrose has the same composition and same physical properties, such as melting point, color, and sweetness, regardless of the source from which it is isolated.
A mixture is composed of two or...
The Citric Acid Cycle
EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research
Accessory Organs
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?

