Cyanobacterial Extracellular Polymeric Substances and their role in Biodeterioration of Temples and Monuments

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are the ancient gram-negative prokaryotic organisms having a wide range of forms ranging from unicellular to filamentous forms. They are oxygenic photosynthetic microorganisms having cosmopolitan distribution in almost all aquatic, terrestrial habitats and even in extreme ecosystems (e.g., hot and cold deserts, hydrothermal vents, hypersaline environments and rocks) due to their tremendous adaptability to varying environmental conditions. Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) are the extracellular mucilaginous substances produced by members of cyanobacteria. Production of EPS is widely known in cyanobacteria and protect the cyanobacterial cells from various stresses such as desiccation and UV-radiation. This review discusses about cyanobacterial EPS and its role in biodeterioration of monuments and temples.