Characterization of Extracellular Polymeric Substances Produced by an Acidianus Species and Their Relevance to Bioleaching

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by microorganisms play a crucial role in various bioprocesses, including bioleaching. The microbial leaching of metal sulfides requires an initial cell attachment, which is facilitated EPS. These are mixtures polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and other compounds, their composition properties can vary depending on the species, growth conditions, environmental factors. Despite significance iron/sulfur oxidizing species biomining processes, knowledge interfacial processes between thermoacidophilic archaeal mineral surfaces limited. This study examines surface characteristics EPS Acidianus strain. research was conducted using microscopic techniques, Zeta-potential measurements, spectrophotometric methods, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence lectin-binding analysis. results suggest that non-soluble substrates, such as sulfur or pyrite, induce changes structures, presence appendages, wider envelopes, higher hydrophobicities, increased production, compared to cells grown with soluble substrates tetrathionate ferrous iron. mainly consist proteins carbohydrates, glucose, manose, N-acetylgalactosamine, N-acetylglucosamine residues. contributes better understanding relationship thermophilic archaea processes.