Influence of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Aerobic Activated Sludge

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play an important role in biological wastewater treatment. The influence of extracted EPS in aerobic activated sludge was investigated, with EPS extraction yields represented by total organic carbon. Polysaccharides and proteins in EPS were analyzed to the major component of EPS in activated sludge. Results showed that the difference of treatment technology and culture medium among activated sludge can induce the change of component and content of extracted EPS, especially the ratio between proteins and polysaccharides.