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Exopolysaccharide production in bacterial biofilms David G. Allison Abstract Characteristic of many biofilms is the production of extracellular polysaccharides. These polymers are an integral component of biofilm ultrastructure and are believed to assist in the attachment process and protect the underlying cells from fluctuations in the surrounding milieu. Moreover, in many instances the persistent and problematic nature of biofilms is attributed to these polysaccharides. In this article the composition and physical properties of exopolysaccharides relevant to biofilm populations are reviewed, together with their ascribed function in biofilms and mechanisms of biosynthesis control and regulation. Keywords Biofilm, exopolysaccharide, antibiotic diffusion, homoserine lactone.

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