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A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Hotspots and Progress on Microbial Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Bioremediation
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This review pulls together decades of research on a sticky substance made by bacteria (called EPS) that can trap and break down pollutants like microplastics, antibiotics, and drug-resistant genes in water and soil. This matters because these substances could offer a natural, low-cost way to clean up environmental contaminants that eventually make their way into our food, water, and bodies—though scientists note that making enough of this bacterial substance cheaply enough for widespread use is still a hurdle to overcome.
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) are high-molecular-weight biopolymers secreted by microorganisms, showing great potential for bioremediation. However, comprehensive analyses of the development context and quantitative research on the overall trends of EPSs in bioremediation are lacking. This study conducted a systematic bibliometric analysis of microbial EPS research using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Keyword burst and thematic evolution analysis indicate a distinct thematic shift: early research focused on "structural characterization and adsorption mechanisms of EPSs", whereas current hotspots highlight interactions with emerging pollutants (e.g., microplastics, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs)). EPSs significantly influence the environmental fate and removal efficiency of emerging pollutants through multiple pathways, including physical adsorption, chemical complexation, photocatalytic degradation, and electron transfer. For microplastic remediation, EPSs mediate hetero-aggregation, surface modification, and biodegradation processes. In antibiotic removal, EPSs function through biosorption, biodegradation, and photosensitized degradation. Regarding the mitigation of ARGs, EPSs can either suppress or facilitate their horizontal gene transfer, depending on their composition and environmental conditions. Additionally, as electroactive medium, EPSs play a crucial role in facilitating electron transfer, enhancing nitrogen removal, and promoting heavy metals reduction. This study systematically reviewed the current status and research hotspots of EPSs in bioremediation. However, practical applicability remains constrained by challenges such as low production yield and high costs. Future directions to address these limitations are also outlined to guide further development.
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Assessment of Microplastic Pollution in Urban Lakes of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Its Potential Mitigation Using Bacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances (eps)
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Researchers checked water from two urban lakes in Coimbatore, India for tiny plastic particles and tested whether a substance made by bacteria could clump them together. The substance formed visible clumps with the plastic particles in water samples, suggesting it may help gather microplastics, though exact plastic amounts and how well this method works still need further study.
The Role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Micropollutant Removal
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This review examines the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in biological wastewater treatment systems, focusing on how EPS affect micropollutant removal and microbial aggregate structure. The authors find that EPS can act as a protective barrier for microbial communities under toxic conditions and may play an important role in sequestering pharmaceutical and pesticide micropollutants.
Functional groups in microalgal extracellular polymeric substances: A promising biopolymer for microplastic mitigation in marine ecosystems
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Researchers characterized the sticky, sugar-like substances (extracellular polymeric substances, or EPS) produced by three types of microalgae and found these natural biopolymers could potentially bind and aggregate microplastics in marine environments, pointing toward a nature-based approach to reducing ocean plastic pollution.
Microbial Bioremediation for Environmental Sustainability: Recent Developments
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This review pulls together recent research on using bacteria and other microbes to clean up pollution, including plastics, microplastics, antibiotics, heavy metals, and oil, by having them break down or absorb harmful substances. This matters because microplastics and chemical pollutants increasingly end up in our water, food, and bodies, and finding natural ways to remove them could reduce our long-term exposure. That said, the authors note this technology still faces real hurdles, like working too slowly, sometimes creating toxic byproducts, and lacking real-world testing, so it's not yet a ready-made solution.
Unveiling the soil-altering synergy: The dynamic interplay between microplastics and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in agricultural landscapes
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Researchers reviewed how microplastics interact with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) — the sticky compounds that microbes release in soil — disrupting soil structure, nutrient cycling, and plant growth in agricultural fields. Because EPS are key to healthy soil function, microplastic interference with these compounds could have lasting effects on food production.
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