title: Role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production in bioaggregation: application to wastewater treatment.
abstract: This paper reviews the formation, structure, and stability of bioaggregates with an emphasis on the composition and distribution of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and their role in bioaggregation. Bioaggregation is ubiquitous in natural environment and is of great importance in biological wastewater treatment processes. It greatly influences the flocculability, settleability, and dewaterability for flocs and sludge retention and shear resistance for biofilms. The physico-chemical and microbial structures of bioaggregates are dependent on operational conditions as well as microbial diversity and spatial distribution. The formation of bioaggregates is mediated by the physico-chemical interactions as well as the microbial interactions such as EPS production and quorum sensing. EPS are composed of a mixture of macromolecules including proteins, polysaccharides, humic-like substances, and nucleic acids, which entrap the microbial cells in a three-dimensional matrix. The composition and physico-chemical characteristics of EPS have significant influence on the maintenance of the bioaggregate structure and the process performance of the wastewater treatment. However, the mechanisms of bioaggregation are still unclear and the conclusions on the role of EPS were mostly drawn from the established correlations and hypotheses. This paper expects to provide up-to-date knowledge on bioaggregation and insights for further studies and applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043, Cassino, FR, Italy. jimmydzj2006@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Zhiji
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5542-9053
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Groupement de Recherche Eau Sol Environnement, Université de Limoges, 123 Av. Albert Thomas, 87060, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bourven
authors.affiliation: Groupement de Recherche Eau Sol Environnement, Université de Limoges, 123 Av. Albert Thomas, 87060, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guibaud
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Géomatériaux et Environnement (EA 4508), Université Paris-Est, UPEM, Marne la Vallée, 77454, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Eric D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: van Hullebusch
authors.affiliation: Telematic University Pegaso, Piazza Trieste e Trento 48, 80132, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Panico
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via Di Biasio 43, 03043, Cassino, FR, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Esposito
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000378:metabolism*; D005427:Flocculation; D062065:Wastewater; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: EPS; Flocculation; Granulation; Mechanism; Polysaccharide; Protein