Identification of l-iduronic acid as a constituent of the major extracellular polysaccharide produced by Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strain X6C61

Abstract Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strain X6C61 produces two extracellular polysaccharides (EPS-I and EPS- II) separable by anion-exchange chromatography. The neutral sugar constituents of EPS-I were identified by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) as the alditol acetates of rhamnose, mannose, galactose, glucose, and an unidentified component. These results were confirmed using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Neutral sugar analysis of EPS-II, which eluted from DEAE-Sephadex at 0.4 M NaCl, yielded the alditol acetates of rhamnose, galactose, glucose, and idose. However, idose was not found when hydrolysates of EPS-II were analysed by TLC. Further investigations showed that the iditol hexaacetate detected via GLC was an artifact of the commonly-used procedures for neutral sugar analysis. This compound was instead generated from l -iduronic acid, as shown by GLC-MS studies.     

沙漠生物结皮芽孢杆菌产胞外多糖的纯化及其絮凝性的研究

【目的】以新疆古尔班通古特沙漠的生物结皮为样品,通过培养、筛选、分离得到一株高产胞外多糖(EPS)的菌株XJ-27,对XJ-27菌株所产的胞外多糖进行分离纯化,并对其絮凝性进行研究。【方法】利用DEAE sepharose CL-6B阴离子层析和Sephadex G100凝胶层析的方法对胞外多糖进行纯化,通过紫外分析方法和高效凝胶渗透色谱进行纯度的测定,利用高效凝胶渗透色谱法(HP-GPC)测定其分子量,以高岭土为体系对其絮凝性进行研究。【结果】利用层析分离的方法共得到2个胞外多糖的组分,对其中一个组分进一步纯化,得到组分EPS-I。结果表明,EPS-I纯度较高,分子量为575 kD。同时对胞外多糖的絮凝性进行了研究,结果表明该胞外多糖对高岭土为体系的絮凝率为80.4%。【结论】菌株XJ-27产胞外多糖,其胞外多糖具有絮凝性,对该胞外多糖进行分离纯化后,得到分子量为575 kD的多糖组分EPS-I。     

Polysaccharide synthesis in relation to nodulation behavior of Rhizobium leguminosarum.

In this study, we characterized four Tn5 mutants derived from Rhizobium leguminosarum RBL5515 with respect to synthesis and secretion of cellulose fibrils, extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), capsular polysaccharides, and cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans. One mutant, strain RBL5515 exo-344::Tn5, synthesizes residual amounts of EPS, the repeating unit of which lacks the terminal galactose molecule and the substituents attached to it. On basis of the polysaccharide production pattern of strain RBL5515 exo-344::Tn5, the structural features of the polysaccharides synthesized, and the results of an analysis of the enzyme activities involved, we hypothesize that this strain is affected in a galactose transferase involved in the synthesis of EPS only. All four mutants failed to nodulate plants belonging to the pea cross-inoculation group; on Vicia sativa they induced root hair deformation and rare abortive infection threads. All of the mutants appeared to be pleiotropic, since in addition to defects in the synthesis of EPS, lipopolysaccharide, and/or capsular polysaccharides significant increases in the synthesis and secretion of cyclic beta-(1,2)-glucans were observed. We concluded that it is impossible to correlate a defect in the synthesis of a particular polysaccharide with nodulation characteristics.     

Separation of oligosaccharides containing terminal alpha-linked galactose residues by affinity chromatography on Griffonia simplicifolia I bound to concanavalin A-sepharose

The seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia contain a family of five isolectins (GS-I) (L. A. Murphy and I. J. Goldstein (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 4739-4742) that bind with high affinity to glycoconjugates containing terminal nonreducing alpha-linked galactose residues. Here, we report that GS-I itself is bound via its high mannose-type, Asn-linked sugar chains to immobilized concanavalin A (Con A-Sepharose). The GS-I in the GS-I-Con A-Sepharose complex retains its ability to bind glycoconjugates containing terminal alpha-linked galactose residues. This convenient method to immobilize GS-I is rapid and quantitative. We have exploited this affinity system to separate oligosaccharides based on their number of terminal alpha-linked D-galactose residues.     

Nitrogen fixation ability of exopolysaccharide synthesis mutants of Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 and Rhizobium trifolii is restored by the addition of homologous exopolysaccharides.

Several transposon Tn5-induced mutants of the broad-host-range Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 produce little or no detectable acidic exopolysaccharide (EPS) and are unable to induce nitrogen-fixing nodules on Leucaena leucocephala var. Peru or siratro plants. The ability of these Exo- mutants to induce functioning nodules on Leucaena plants was restored by coinoculation with a Sym plasmid-cured (Nod- Exo+) derivative of parent strain NGR234, purified EPS from the parent strain, or the oligosaccharide from the EPS. Coinoculation with EPS or related oligosaccharide also resulted in formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on siratro plants. In addition, an Exo- mutant (ANU437) of Rhizobium trifolii ANU794 was able to form nitrogen-fixing nodules on white clover in the presence of added EPS or related oligosaccharide from R. trifolii ANU843. These results demonstrate that the absence of Rhizobium EPSs can result in failure of effective symbiosis with both temperate and subtropical legumes.     

Purification and properties of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) antigens produced by different mould species

Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) antigens produced by different mould species were purified and partially characterized. Purification included (NH4)2SO4 treatment, Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography and Con A-sepharose chromatography. The EPS of Penicillium digitatum, Mucor racemosus and Cladosporium cladosporioides showed high antigenic capacities. Immunologically the EPS were partially genus-specific, but cross-reactivity was observed. The EPS antigens produced by species of Penicillium, Aspergillus repens and Geotrichum candidum lost their immunological activity upon heating (100 degrees C) at pH 1.8, while the EPS antigen of M. racemosus, Rhizopus oligosporus and C. cladosporioides were stable under the same conditions. The dominant monosaccharides present in the EPS antigen were mannose, galactose and glucose. The EPS obtained from cultures of M. racemosus and R. oligosporus also contained rhamnose. In the EPS produced by Penicillium spp. and A. repens the galactose residues were determined to be immunodominant.     

Exopolysaccharide biosynthesis is important for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mesorhizobium tianshanense</Emphasis>: plant host interaction

Mesorhizobium tianshanense is a nitrogen-fixing bacterium that can establish symbiotic associations with Glycyrrhiza uralensis in the form of root nodules. Nodule formation in rhizobia often requires various secreted carbohydrates. To investigate exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and function in M. tianshanense, we performed a genome-wide screen using transposon mutagenesis to identify genes involved in EPS production. We identified seven mutants that produced significantly lower amounts of EPS as well as a two-component sensor kinase/response regulator system that is involved in the activation of EPS synthesis. EPS mutants formed significantly less biofilm and displayed severely reduced nodulation capacity than wild type bacteria, suggesting that EPS synthesis can play important roles in the symbiosis process. Peng Wang, Zengtao Zhong and Jing Zhou have contributed equally to this work.     

Purification and properties of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) antigens produced by different mould species

Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) antigens produced by different mould species were purified and partially characterized. Purification included (NH₄)₂SO₄ treatment, Sepharose CL-4B column chromatography and Con A-sepharose chromatography. The EPS of Penicillium digitatum, Mucor racemosus and Cladosporium cladosporioides showed high antigenic capacities. Immunologically the EPS were partially genus-specific, but cross-reactivity was observed. The EPS antigens produced by species of Penicillium, Aspergillus repens and Geotrichum candidum lost their immunological activity upon heating (100C) at pH 18, while the EPS antigen of M. racemosus, Rhizopus oligosporus and C. cladosporioides were stable under the same conditions. The dominant monosaccharides present in the EPS antigen were mannose, galactose and glucose. The EPS obtained from cultures of M. racemosus and R. oligosporus also contained rhamnose. In the EPS produced by Penicillium spp. and A. repens the galactose residues were determined to be immunodominant.     

Regulation of colony morphology and biofilm formation in Shewanella algae

Bacterial colony morphology can reflect different physiological stages such as virulence or biofilm formation. In this work we used transposon mutagenesis to identify genes that alter colony morphology and cause differential Congo Red (CR) and Brilliant Blue G (BBG) binding in Shewanella algae, a marine indigenous bacterium and occasional human pathogen. Microscopic analysis of colonies formed by the wild-type strain S. algae CECT 5071 and three transposon integration mutants representing the diversity of colony morphotypes showed production of biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and distinctive morphological alterations. Electrophoretic and chemical analyses of extracted EPS showed differential patterns between strains, although the targets of CR and BBG binding remain to be identified. Galactose and galactosamine were the preponderant sugars in the colony biofilm EPS of S. algae. Surface-associated biofilm formation of transposon integration mutants was not directly correlated with a distinct colony morphotype. The hybrid sensor histidine kinase BarA abrogated surface-associated biofilm formation. Ectopic expression of the kinase and mutants in the phosphorelay cascade partially recovered biofilm formation. Altogether, this work provides the basic analysis to subsequently address the complex and intertwined networks regulating colony morphology and biofilm formation in this poorly understood species.     

STUDIES ON POLYSACCHARIDES FROM THREE EDIBLE SPECIES OF NOSTOC (CYANOBACTERIA) WITH DIFFERENT COLONY MORPHOLOGIES: COMPARISON OF MONOSACCHARIDE COMPOSITIONS AND VISCOSITIES OF POLYSACCHARIDES FROM FIELD COLONIES AND SUSPENSION CULTURES

Hot water-soluble polysaccharides were extracted from field colonies and suspension cultures of Nostoc commune Vaucher, Nostoc flagelliforme Berkeley et Curtis, and Nostoc sphaeroides Kützing. Excreted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were isolated from the media in which the suspension cultures were grown. The main monosaccharides of the field colony polysaccharides from the three species were glucose, xylose, and galactose, with an approximate ratio of 2:1:1. Mannose was also present, but the levels varied among the species, and arabinose appeared only in N. flagelliforme. The compositions of the cellular polysaccharides and EPS from suspension cultures were more complicated than those of the field samples and varied among the different species. The polysaccharides from the cultures of N. flagelliforme had a relatively simple composition consisting of mannose, galactose, glucose, and glucuronic acid, but no xylose, as was found in the field colony polysaccharides. The polysaccharides from cultures of N. sphaeroides contained glucose (the major component), rhamnose, fucose, xylose, mannose, and galactose. These same sugars were present in the polysaccharides from cultures of N. commune, with xylose as the major component. Combined nitrogen in the media had no qualitative influence on the compositions of the cellular polysaccharides but affected those of the EPS of N. commune and N. flagelliforme. The EPS of N. sphaeroides had a very low total carbohydrate content and thus was not considered to be polysaccharide in nature. The field colony polysaccharides could be separated by anion exchange chromatography into neutral and acidic fractions having similar sugar compositions. Preliminary linkage analysis showed that 1) xylose, glucose, and galactose were 1→4 linked, 2) mannose, galactose, and xylose occurred as terminal residues, and 3) branch points occurred in glucose as 1→3,4 and 1→3,6 linkages and in xylose as a 1→3,4 linkage. The polymer preparations from field colonies had higher kinematic viscosities than those from correspondingsuspension cultures. The high viscosities of the polymers suggested that they might be suitable for industrial uses.     

Production and characterization of the exopolysaccharide produced by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paenibacillus jamilae</Emphasis> grown on olive mill-waste waters

Paenibacillus jamilae, a strain isolated from compost prepared with olive-mill wastewaters, produced an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) when it was grown in a culture containing olive-mill waste waters (OMWW) as sole carbon and energy sources. Maximal EPS production in 100 mL batch-culture experiments (5.1 g L⁻¹) was reached with a concentration of 80% of OMWW as fermentation substrate (v/v). Although an inhibitory effect was observed on growth and EPS production when OMWW concentration was increased, an appreciable amount of EPS (2.7 g L⁻¹) was produced with undiluted OMWW. Sepharose CL-2B chromatography showed that the EPS presented two fractions, EPS I (>2000 kDa) and EPS II (500 kDa). Both fractions were characterized by GC-MS as two different acidic heteropolysaccharides containing glucose, galactose and mannose as the major components. The performed study made evident the possibility of using OMWW as substrate for the production of EPS by P. jamilae with a satisfactory yield.     

Sugar composition and FT-IR analysis of exopolysaccharides produced by microbial isolates from paper mill slime deposits

Thirty exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by bacteria isolated from biofilms or slimelayers from different paper and board mills in Finland, France and Spain were subjected to size exclusion chromatography and sugar compositional analysis. High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) analysis revealed that some samples were composed of several molecular weight populations. These samples were fractionated by size exclusion chromatography and pooled accordingly. Principal components analysis (PCA) of the sugar compositions of the different pools indicated the presence of glucans and mannans caused by insufficient removal of the carbon or nitrogen source (yeast extract) from the bacteria growth medium leading to an overestimation of the glucose and mannose level in the sample, respectively. From the point of view of slime problems the EPS populations are the most important for multivariate analysis. Four groups of EPSs have been recognized by PCA analysis: a group of EPSs produced by Enterobacter and related genera similar to the regularly reported colanic acid; a group of Methylobacterium EPSs having high galactose and pyruvate levels and two groups that showed less dense clusters produced by Bacillus and related genera, showing high mannose and/or glucose levels and Klebsiella EPSs that showed galactose with rhamnose as major characteristic sugar moieties. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) of the same samples followed by discriminant partial least squares regression (DPLS) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) showed that, when used with a well-defined training set, FT-IR could be used clustering instead of time-consuming sugar composition analysis. The Enterobacter and Methylobacetrium EPS groups could be recognized clearly. However the fact that this could hardly be done for the other two groups in the dataset indicates the importance of a larger and well-defined training or calibration set. The potential to use FT-IR, as a tool for pattern recognition and clustering with respect to EPS structures produced by micro organisms isolated from a paper mill environment is discussed.     

嗜热链球菌MGB80-7所产胞外多糖的表型结构及其抗氧化活性

【背景】胞外多糖（exopolysaccharide,EPS）是乳酸菌生长代谢过程中所产生的一种次级代谢产物,除了可以改善产品质构和品质外,其生理功能也是近年来研究人员追捧的热点。【目的】探究乳酸菌EPS的表征特性和分子结构,揭示其与EPS益生特性之间的联系。【方法】以产EPS的嗜热链球菌（Streptococcus thermophilus,S. thermophilus） MGB80-7为研究对象,利用苯酚-硫酸法测定菌株EPS产量。采用离子交换柱层析和凝胶分子筛层析对该菌株所产EPS进行分离纯化,结合凝胶色谱、红外光谱及高效液相色谱对EPS表型结构进行剖析。此外,为确定EPS表型特征对其抗氧化活性的影响,测定了EPS对超氧阴离子、羟自由基及DPPH自由基等的清除能力。【结果】S. thermophilus MGB80-7在M17培养基中EPS产量较高,为（268.25±5.36） mg/mL,分离纯化后共得到2种多糖组分,其中中性多糖（WPS-807）分子量为1.028×10⁵ Da,主要由葡萄糖、半乳糖和甘露糖组成,并含有少量的鼠李糖和阿拉伯糖,酸性多糖（...     

Isolation and physico-chemical characterisation of extracellular polymeric substances produced by the marine bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus

A marine bacterial strain identified as Vibrio parahaemolyticus by 16S rRNA gene (HM355955) sequencing and gas chromatography (GC) coupled with MIDI was selected from a natural biofilm by its capability to produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The EPS had an average molecule size of 15.278 μm and exhibited characteristic diffraction peaks at 5.985°, 9.150° and 22.823°, with d-spacings of 14.76661, 9.29989 and 3.89650 ?, respectively. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum revealed aliphatic methyl, primary amine, halide groups, uronic acid and saccharides. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) confirmed the presence of arabinose, galactose, glucose and mannose. (1)HNMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) revealed functional groups characteristic of polysaccharides. The EPS were amorphous in nature (CI(xrd) 0.092), with a 67.37% emulsifying activity, thermostable up to 250°C and displayed pseudoplastic rheology. MALDI-TOF-TOF analysis revealed a series of masses, exhibiting low-mass peaks (m/z) corresponding to oligosaccharides and higher-mass peaks for polysaccharides consisting of different ratios of pentose and hexose moieties. This is the first report of a detailed characterisation of the EPS produced by V. parahaemolyticus, which could be further explored for biotechnological and industrial use.     

Novel genomic locus with atypical G+C content that is required for extracellular polysaccharide production and virulence in Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae.

Three exopolysaccharide (EPS)- and virulence-deficient mutants of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial leaf blight of rice, were isolated by Tn5 mutagenesis. These insertions are not located within the gum gene cluster. A 40-kb cosmid clone that restored EPS production and virulence to all three mutants was isolated, and the three transposon insertions were localized to contiguous 4.3- and 3.5-kb EcoRI fragments that are included in this clone. Sequence data indicate that two of the transposon insertions are in genes that encode a putative sugar nucleotide epimerase and a putative glycosyl transferase, respectively; the third insertion is located between the glycosyl transferase gene and a novel open reading frame (ORF). A 5.5-kb genomic region in which these three ORFs are located has a G+C content of 5-1.7%, quite different from the G+C content of approximately 65.0% that is typical of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Homologues of this locus have not yet been reported in any other xanthomonad.     

Altered exopolysaccharides of Bradyrhizobium japonicum mutants correlate with impaired soybean lectin binding, but not with effective nodule formation

 The exact mechanism(s) of infection and symbiotic development between rhizobia and legumes is not yet known, but changes in rhizobial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) affect both infection and nodule development of the legume host. Early events in the symbiotic process between Bradyrhizobium japonicum and soybean (Glycinemax [L.] Merr.) were studied using two mutants, defective in soybean lectin (SBL) binding, which had been generated from B. japonicum 2143 (USDA 3I-1b-143 derivative) by Tn5 mutagenesis. In addition to their SBL-binding deficiency, these mutants produced less EPS than the parental strain. The composition of EPS varied with the genotype and with the carbon source used for growth. When grown on arabinose, gluconate, or mannitol, the wild-type parental strain, B. japonicum 2143, produced EPS typical of DNA homology group I Bradyrhizobium, designated EPS I. When grown on malate, strain 2143 produced a different EPS composed only of galactose and its acetylated derivative and designated EPS II. Mutant 1252 produced EPS II when grown on arabinose or malate, but when grown on gluconate or mannitol, mutant 1252 produced a different EPS comprised of glucose, galactose, xylose and glucuronic acid (1:5:1:1) and designated EPS III. Mutant 1251, grown on any of these carbon sources, produced EPS III. The EPS of strain 2143 and mutant 1252 contained SBL-binding polysaccharide. The amount of the SBL-binding polysaccharide produced by mutant 1252 varied with the carbon source used for growth. The capsular polysaccharide (CPS) produced by strain 2143 during growth on arabinose, gluconate or mannitol, showed a high level of SBL binding, whereas CPS produced during growth of strain 2143 on malate showed a low level of SBL binding. However, the change in EPS composition and SBL binding of strain 2143 grown on malate did not affect the wild-type nodulation and nitrogen fixation phenotype of 2143. Mutant 1251, which produced EPS III, nodulated 2 d later than parental strain 2143, but formed effective, nitrogen-fixing tap root nodules. Mutant 1252, which produced either EPS II or III, however nodulated 5–6 d later and formed few and ineffective tap root nodules. Restoration of EPS I production in mutant 1252 correlated with restored SBL binding, but not with wild-type nodulation and nitrogen fixation. Received: 6 October 1999 / Accepted: 18 November 1999     

Exopolysaccharides from Sinorhizobium meliloti Can Protect against H2O2-Dependent Damage

Sinorhizobium meliloti requires exopolysaccharides in order to form a successful nitrogen-fixing symbiosis with Medicago species. Additionally, during early stages of symbiosis, S. meliloti is presented with an oxidative burst that must be overcome. Levels of production of the exopolysaccharides succinoglycan (EPS-I) and galactoglucan (EPS-II) were found to correlate positively with survival in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). H₂O₂ damage is dependent on the presence of iron and is mitigated when EPS-I and EPS-II mutants are cocultured with cells expressing either exopolysaccharide. Purified EPS-I is able to decrease in vitro levels of H₂O₂, and this activity is specific to the symbiotically active low-molecular-weight form of EPS-I. This suggests a potential protective function of exopolysaccharides against H₂O₂ during early symbiosis.     

Host-range related structural features of the acidic extracellular polysaccharides of Rhizobium trifolii and Rhizobium leguminosarum

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometric analyses were performed on enzymatically derived oligosaccharides from the acidic excreted polysaccharides (EPS) from representative bacterial strains of the pea-nodulating symbiont, Rhizobium leguminosarum (128C53, 128C63, and 300) and the clover-nodulating symbiont, Rhizobium trifolii (NA-30, ANU843, 0403, TA-1, LPR5035, USDA20.102, and 4S). The results revealed structural similarities and differences between EPS of these two species. Octasaccharide units containing galactose, glucuronic acid, alpha-L-threo-hex-4-enopyranosyluronic acid, and glucose in a molar ratio of 1:1:1:5 were obtained from the EPS of the three R. leguminosarum strains and had the same primary glycosyl sequence and location of pyruvate, acetate, and 3-hydroxybutyrate substituents. About 80% of the galactose residues were acylated with 3-hydroxybutyrate, and there were two acetyl groups per repeating unit distributed between the 2 glucose residues of the main chain-derived sequence of the octasaccharides. In contrast, the R. trifolii strains had varied EPS structures, each of which differed from the common R. leguminosarum EPS structure. The EPS from one group of R. trifolii strains (0403 and LPR5035) most closely resembled the R. leguminosarum EPS but differed in that a lower number of galactose and glucose residues were substituted by 3-hydroxybutyryl and acetyl groups, respectively. The EPS from a second group of R. trifolii strains (ANU843, TA-1, and NA-30) was even more different than the R. leguminosarum EPS. These R. trifolii octasaccharides bore a single acetyl group on O-3 of the glucuronic acid residue. In addition, the level of acylation by 3-hydroxybutyryl groups was 50% of that present in the R. leguminosarum EPS. The remaining two strains of R. trifolii (USDA20.102 and 4S) had very different patterns of acylation to each other and to all of the other strains. The EPS from strain USDA20.102 practically lacked 3-hydroxybutyryl groups and had a unique degree and pattern of acetylation. The oligomers from the EPS of R. trifolii strain 4S completely lacked 3-hydroxybutyryl groups and galactose. The latter EPS contained only one O-1-carboxyethylidene group and had a different degree and pattern of acetylation. Interestingly, these two latter strains differ from the other R. trifolii strains in nodulation rates on rare clover species in the Trifolium cross-inoculation group. Thus, we define several groups of R. trifolii based upon their EPS structures and establish their similarities and distinct differences with the EPS of R. leguminosarum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Physicochemical properties and membrane biofouling of extra-cellular polysaccharide produced by a Micrococcus luteus strain

The physicochemical properties of the extra-cellular polysaccharide (EPS) produced by a Micrococcus luteus strain, a dominating strain isolated from membrane biofouling layer, were determined in this study. The EPS isolated from this strain was measured to have an average molecular weight of 63,540 Da and some typical polysaccharide absorption peaks in Fourier transform infrared spectrum. Monosaccharide components of the EPS contained rhamnose, fucose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, galactose and glucose in a molar ratio of 0.2074:0.0454:0.0262:0.0446:1.7942:1.2086:0.4578. Pseudo plastic properties were also observed for the EPS through the rheological measurement. The EPS was further characterized for its behavior to cause membrane flux decline. The results showed that both flux declines for polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF) and polypropylene membranes became more severe as EPS feed concentration increased. A higher irreversible fouling for the PVDF membrane suggested that the EPS had the larger fouling potential to this microfiltration membrane.