Activated sludge exopolymers: separation and identification using size exclusion chromatography and infrared micro-spectroscopy

Extracellular polymeric substances were extracted from activated sludge using a resin exchange method and analyzed. The separation and identification of EPS were carried out by size exclusion chromatography and Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. Chromatograms of extracted EPS exhibited seven peaks. Proteins varying in molecular weights from 670 to 45 kDa were present in all the peaks. Polysaccharides corresponding to molecular weights of ~1 and ~0.5 kDa were present in only three peaks. Strong association of polysaccharides and proteins was observed. Infrared results revealed the presence of one type of polysaccharide and two types of proteins (A and B). Proteins differed mainly in the length of their associated alkyl chains and in the ratio of ester/acidic functionalities.