Three different phototrophic biofilms obtained from a natural lake (Sample 1), drinking water plant (Sample 2) and wastewater treatment plant (Sample 3) were investigated. Diatoms and green algae were the dominant algae of three biofilms, and the biomass was highest in biofilm of Sample 2. The three phototrophic biofilms also had variable extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) concentrations and compositions. Total EPS concentration of 14.80 mg/g DW was highest in biofilm of Sample 2, followed by biofilms of Samples 3 and 1 (13.11 and 12.29 mg/g DW). Tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were the main fraction, and polysaccharides and protein were the main components of total EPS in all three biofilms. However, the compositions of loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and TB-EPS were different in three biofilms. Fourier-transform infrared and fluorescence spectra indicated different structure and compositions of LB-EPS and TB-EPS. These results demonstrated the characteristics of EPS produced by phototrophic biofilms varied and had compact relation to their growth environmental conditions.
Keywords: Algae; Biomass; Composition; Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS); Phototrophic biofilms.
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