Bacterial cell surface properties: role of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS).

•Infrared absorption peaks of intact and LB-EPS free cells were identical.•The total acidic functional group concentrations of intact bacteria were higher.•Some cell surface functional groups were exposed after LB-EPS removal.•Electrophoretic mobilities of intact and treated cells showed no differences.•Four LB-EPS free bacteria exhibited smaller hydrophobicities than intact cells.