Cited by 108Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensingAlgal biology and biofuel productionMarine Biology and Environmental Chemistry

A methodological review on the characterization of microalgal biofilm and its extracellular polymeric substances

Cheah, Yi Tong, Chan, Derek Juinn Chieh·2022·Journal of Applied Microbiology

Abstract

Biofilm secreted by microalgae are extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) composed mainly of polysaccharides, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. These EPSs immobilize the cells and stabilize biofilm, mediating adhesion towards solid surfaces. The EPSs valorization through industrial exploitations and scientific works is becoming more popular, but the bottleneck of such studies is the lack of consensus among researchers on the selection of detection techniques to be used, especially for novice researchers. It is a daunting task for any inexperienced researcher when they fail to identify the right tools needed for microalgal biofilm studies. In this review, a well-refined analysis protocol about microalgal biofilm and EPSs were prepared including its extraction and characterization. Pros and cons of various detection techniques were addressed and cutting-edge methods to study biofilm EPSs were highlighted. Future perspectives were also presented at the end of this review to bridge research gaps in studying biofilm adhesion via EPSs production. Ultimately, this review aims to assist novice researchers in making the right choices in their research studies on microalgal biofilms in accordance to the available technologies and needs.

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Crossref · 10.1111/jam.15455

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  • Cheah and Chan (2022) emphasize that methodological divergence persists due to the lack of consensus among researchers on which techniques to adopt, complicating the comparison and interpretation of results.

    “Similarly, Cheah and Chan (2022) emphasize that methodological divergence persists due to the lack of consensus among researchers on which techniques to adopt, complicating the comparison and interpretation of results.”

    From Microalgae biotechnology and its role in sustainable and healthy food design (2025) · cites this paper as Cheah and Chan, 2022

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Authors
Cheah, Y. T., & Chan, D. J. C.
Affiliations
Universiti Sains Malaysia (MY)
Venue
Journal of Applied Microbiology
Published
2022-05-01
Volume
132
Issue
5
Pages
3490-3514
ISSN
  • 1364-5072 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-2672
OpenAlex
W4206981720
Cited by
108
References
145
Citations by year
2026: 21 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 5
FWCI
2.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Applied Microbiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › Algal biology and biofuel production
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
Keywords
microalgal biofilms, extracellular polymeric substances, EPS extraction, biofilm adhesion, polysaccharides, detection methods, microalgae
MeSH terms
Extracellular Polymeric Substance Matrix, Biofilms, Microalgae

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