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Extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from anaerobic granular sludges: comparison of chemical and physical extraction protocols

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Abstract

The characteristics of the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted with nine different extraction protocols from four different types of anaerobic granular sludge were studied. The efficiency of four physical (sonication, heating, cationic exchange resin (CER), and CER associated with sonication) and four chemical (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethanol, formaldehyde combined with heating, or NaOH) EPS extraction methods was compared to a control extraction protocols (i.e., centrifugation). The nucleic acid content and the protein/polysaccharide ratio of the EPS extracted show that the extraction does not induce abnormal cellular lysis. Chemical extraction protocols give the highest EPS extraction yields (calculated by the mass ratio between sludges and EPS dry weight (DW)). Infrared analyses as well as an extraction yield over 100% or organic carbon content over 1 g g−1 of DW revealed, nevertheless, a carry-over of the chemical extractants into the EPS extracts. The EPS of the anaerobic granular sludges investigated are predominantly composed of humic-like substances, proteins, and polysaccharides. The EPS content in each biochemical compound varies depending on the sludge type and extraction technique used. Some extraction techniques lead to a slightly preferential extraction of some EPS compounds, e.g., CER gives a higher protein yield.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by a research grant provided by the Conseil Regional du Limousin. The authors thank Audrey Asmond for her technical assistance in EPS extraction and characterization.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Groupement de Recherche Eau Sol Environnement, Université de Limoges, 123 Av. Albert Thomas, 87 060, Limoges, France

    Paul D’Abzac, François Bordas & Gilles Guibaud

  2. Laboratoire Géomatériaux et Environnement, Université Paris-Est, EA 4119, 5 bd Descartes, 77454, Marne la Vallée Cedex 2, France

    Eric Van Hullebusch

  3. Sub-department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Biotechnion Bomenweg, 2, 6700 EV, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Piet N. L. Lens

Authors
  1. Paul D’Abzac
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  2. François Bordas
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  3. Eric Van Hullebusch
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  4. Piet N. L. Lens
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  5. Gilles Guibaud
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Correspondence to Gilles Guibaud.

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D’Abzac, P., Bordas, F., Van Hullebusch, E. et al. Extraction of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from anaerobic granular sludges: comparison of chemical and physical extraction protocols. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 85, 1589–1599 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2288-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-009-2288-x

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