 Bacterial biofilms are difficult to eradicate due to their high tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Non-biocidal surface active compounds can be used as an alternative treatment for controlling biofilm formation. These compounds include certain capsular polysaccharides released by various bacteria which have been identified through screening a collection of 31 purified capsular polysaccharides. Electrokinetic properties such as high density of electrostatic charges and permeability to fluid flow were found to distinguish between active and inactive polysaccharides. Two additional capsular polysaccharides with broad spectrum anti-biofilm activity were also identified. This study provides insight into key biophysical properties discriminating active from inactive polysaccharides and opens up new possibilities for identifying or engineering non-biocidal surface active macromolecules to control biofilm formation. This article was authored by Joerome Fibord, Marina Brosso and others. We are article.tv, links in the description below.