Comparative characterisation of the physicochemical and rheological properties of extracellular polymeric substances produced by planktonic and biofilm cells of antarctic endophytic microorganisms
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30857/2786-5371.2026.2.1Keywords:
FTIR spectroscopy, rheological properties, extraction, biofilms, Antarctic endophytes, biopolymers, extracellular polymeric substancesAbstract
Purpose. To determine the physicochemical and rheological properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) synthesised by planktonic and biofilm cells of psychrotolerant endophytic microorganisms associated with Antarctic plants, with the aim of their further application in polymer processing technologies.
Methodology. The objects of the study were extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) synthesised by endophytic strains isolated from Antarctic vascular plants, namely Hafnia psychrotolerans 25.2 and Pseudomonas sp. 39.4. Microorganisms were cultivated under static conditions in nutrient broth (NB, HiMedia Ltd) at 25 °C for 6 days. EPS were obtained from both planktonic cells and the formed biofilm.
EPS extraction was performed using an alkaline–acid method. The physicochemical properties were evaluated based on pH, density, relative viscosity, surface tension, total carbohydrate content, and total protein content. The chemical nature of the precipitated polymers was analysed by FTIR spectroscopy.
Findings. It was demonstrated that extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) obtained from the biofilm fraction exhibited significantly higher relative viscosity than those derived from planktonic cells, with maximum values of 2.76–2.813. FTIR analysis of the biofilm samples confirmed the presence of characteristic glycosidic linkages and associated protein components (Amide I and Amide II bands), which correlate with their enhanced adhesive properties.
Originality. For the first time, differences in the physicochemical and rheological properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by Antarctic endophytic microorganisms have been established depending on the phenotypic state of the producer, namely, planktonic versus biofilm forms. Specific features of the structural organisation and functional properties of EPS synthesised under attached-growth conditions (biofilms) were identified in comparison with those produced by free-living cells, thereby expanding current understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of Antarctic microbiota.
Practical value. The obtained results provide a foundation for developing technologies to produce biodegradable thickeners for the chemical and cosmetic industries. In addition, the identified changes in the rheological and physicochemical properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during the transition of microorganisms from planktonic to biofilm growth contribute to a deeper understanding of biofilm matrix formation and the transformation of physicochemical properties of microbially derived biopolymers.
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