Exopolymeric Substances from Bacteria as Biomolecules for Green Approach to Metal Removal

The onset of industrialization has led to an increase in metal processing, which leads to metal pollution in natural wastewater. Conventional metal removal techniques from wastewater are costly and often create toxic by-products. Thus, bio-based metal removal techniques are more preferable as these techniques are cost-effective and environmentally friendly. One example of bio-based techniques is by utilizing bacterial exopolymeric substances (EPS) to adsorb and remove metal pollutants from wastewater. This study focuses on improving the metal removal capabilities of bacterial EPS and applying it in wastewater treatment, which will in turn create a cleaner and safer environment.