Italian researchers recover extracellular polymeric substances from anaerobic granular sludge

In Italy, promising new technique from researchers at the Politecnico di Milano using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) recovered from anaerobic granular sludge may offer a cost-effective, sustainable approach for transforming wastewater into industrially valuable products, and help to reduce carbon emissions.

In a study published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers coated paper using EPS extracted from various anaerobic granules in wastewater. This approach enhanced waterproofing (65%), as well as oil and grease resistance, while the multi-layered microstructure of the coated paper exhibited a smoother and less porous surface overall. Extracellular proteins, abundant in β-sheets and random coils, play a pivotal structural role in paper coating.