Aggregation of 1 micron latex spheres suspended in sterile EPS isolated from bacterial isolates and consortia on a micro-scale crude oil droplet

The effect of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) extracted from Sagittula stellata and natural Gulf of Mexico bacterial consortia on aggregation of 1 micron latex particles on a crude oil drop surface is observed. Crude oil droplets between 100-200 microns are pinned in a microchannel while time lapse microscopy observes particle aggregation with time. Aggregation rates correlate positively with increasing protein-carbohydrate ratios in the varying EPS compositions studied.