Multiple Staining Scheme - Distribution of Extracellular Polymeric Substances in Bioaggregates

This work proposed a multi-staining method with up to six stains combined with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope (CLSM) scanning for probing the distributions of extracellular polymeric substances in bioaggregates. By carefully selecting the wavelength ranges collected, the distributions of proteins, lipids, a-and b-polysaccharides, and cells in bioaggregates were built up.
Different numbers of stains were used to probe the EPS in selected bioaggregates. Experimental observation revealed a rather uniform distribution of wastewater sludge flocs. However, multi-layer structure was noted for the aerobic granules. Proteins made up the majority body of anaerobic granules. This work also discussed the structural changes in granule development and their response to starvation.