Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation
A wide range of microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), highly hydrated polymers that are mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. EPS are fundamental for microbial life and provide an ideal environment for chemical reactions, nutrient entrapment, and protectio...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01636/full |
| _version_ | 1818537850043367424 |
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| author | Ohana Y. A. Costa Ohana Y. A. Costa Jos M. Raaijmakers Jos M. Raaijmakers Eiko E. Kuramae |
| author_facet | Ohana Y. A. Costa Ohana Y. A. Costa Jos M. Raaijmakers Jos M. Raaijmakers Eiko E. Kuramae |
| author_sort | Ohana Y. A. Costa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | A wide range of microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), highly hydrated polymers that are mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. EPS are fundamental for microbial life and provide an ideal environment for chemical reactions, nutrient entrapment, and protection against environmental stresses such as salinity and drought. Microbial EPS can enhance the aggregation of soil particles and benefit plants by maintaining the moisture of the environment and trapping nutrients. In addition, EPS have unique characteristics, such as biocompatibility, gelling, and thickening capabilities, with industrial applications. However, despite decades of research on the industrial potential of EPS, only a few polymers are widely used in different areas, especially in agriculture. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the ecological functions of microbial EPSs and their application in agricultural soils to improve soil particle aggregation, an important factor for soil structure, health, and fertility. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:56:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9fe74f8f84de46ac90d83b26f7038dfb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1664-302X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T18:56:04Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj.art-9fe74f8f84de46ac90d83b26f7038dfb2022-12-22T00:54:08ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2018-07-01910.3389/fmicb.2018.01636337094Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil AggregationOhana Y. A. Costa0Ohana Y. A. Costa1Jos M. Raaijmakers2Jos M. Raaijmakers3Eiko E. Kuramae4Department of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, NetherlandsInstitute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, NetherlandsDepartment of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, NetherlandsInstitute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, NetherlandsDepartment of Microbial Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Wageningen, NetherlandsA wide range of microorganisms produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), highly hydrated polymers that are mainly composed of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. EPS are fundamental for microbial life and provide an ideal environment for chemical reactions, nutrient entrapment, and protection against environmental stresses such as salinity and drought. Microbial EPS can enhance the aggregation of soil particles and benefit plants by maintaining the moisture of the environment and trapping nutrients. In addition, EPS have unique characteristics, such as biocompatibility, gelling, and thickening capabilities, with industrial applications. However, despite decades of research on the industrial potential of EPS, only a few polymers are widely used in different areas, especially in agriculture. This review provides an overview of current knowledge on the ecological functions of microbial EPSs and their application in agricultural soils to improve soil particle aggregation, an important factor for soil structure, health, and fertility.https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01636/fullEPS productionmicroorganismsbiosynthesisecological functionssoil aggregation |
| spellingShingle | Ohana Y. A. Costa Ohana Y. A. Costa Jos M. Raaijmakers Jos M. Raaijmakers Eiko E. Kuramae Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation Frontiers in Microbiology EPS production microorganisms biosynthesis ecological functions soil aggregation |
| title | Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation |
| title_full | Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation |
| title_fullStr | Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation |
| title_short | Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances: Ecological Function and Impact on Soil Aggregation |
| title_sort | microbial extracellular polymeric substances ecological function and impact on soil aggregation |
| topic | EPS production microorganisms biosynthesis ecological functions soil aggregation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2018.01636/full |
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