SANDURE — Kuwait’s Desert Biotech

In theory, the results should demonstrate that soil samples containing the induced EPS-producing E. coli retain significantly more moisture over time compared to both the uninduced bacterial samples and the control without bacteria. The EPS layer secreted by the engineered bacteria would bind water molecules and create a gel-like matrix within the soil, reducing the rate of evaporation. This effect should be most pronounced in the induced samples, where EPS production is maximized through activation of the plasmid systems.

In contrast, the uninduced and control samples would show faster decreases in soil weight due to rapid water loss under high-temperature conditions. Ideally, the visual texture of the soil with EPS-producing bacteria would also appear more cohesive and less dry, indicating improved soil structure and aggregation.

These findings would theoretically validate the concept that engineered microorganisms can act as biological water retainers, offering a sustainable method to enhance soil moisture in arid environments like Kuwait.

Future work will include quantifying EPS production through biochemical assays, performing real soil moisture retention experiments, and testing bacterial viability under prolonged heat exposure. These results would provide measurable data to validate the biological model and determine practical applications for Kuwait’s agriculture sector.

Our long-term goal is to create a reproducible and field-applicable model where EPS-producing bacteria can be integrated into sustainable farming practices, contributing to climate resilience and environmental conservation.