Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS)

Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) are high-molecular-weight organic compounds secreted by microorganisms into their surrounding environment.
They form the structural and functional matrix of biofilms — communities of microorganisms that attach to surfaces in natural, industrial, or medical environments.

EPS act like a biological glue, holding microbial cells together and protecting them from environmental stress.