Assessment of 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol induced modifications in extracellular polymeric substances of Serratia marcescens

• Effect of DTBP on EPS of S. marcescens was evaluated using biophysical techniques.
• Thermostability of S. marcescens EPS was unveiled for the first time.
• DTBP reduced the crystallinity index and crystallite size of S. marcescens EPS.
• DTBP increased the dislocation density and hydration in EPS.
• Modulating EPS will aid in disintegrating matured biofilm.

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) play crucial roles in biofilm formation and biocorrosion resulting in heavy economic loss in an industrial setup. Hence, in an attempt to develop an agent to control the EPS across the hosts, the ability of 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP), a potent antioxidant, to modify the EPS of Serratia marcescens has been investigated in this study using biophysical methods. Protein, polysaccharides and eDNA components of EPS were inhibited significantly (p < 0.05) upon exposure to DTBP. DTBP treatment reduced the crystallite size and crystallinity index of EPS and increased the dislocation density of crystallites without inducing stress, besides increasing the hydration of EPS which reduced its thermal stability. On the whole, this study highlights the efficacy of DTBP to modulate secreted EPS of S. marcescens which in turn could facilitate the disruption of biofilms besides favouring the diffusion of antimicrobials into the cell aggregates resulting eradication of persistent biofilms.

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