The response of carbohydrate metabolism to the fluctuation of relative humidity (RH) in the desert soil cyanobacterium Phormidium tenue

► Desiccation can induce oxidative damage. ► Desiccation can cause carbohydrate metabolism fluctuation. ► P. tenue depend on high relative humidity as water source to keep viability. ► The exogenous EPS could enhance tolerance to oxidative damage.