Relative expression levels of six genes of exopolysaccharides biosynthesis pathway in E. coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days (a); the protein (blue columns) and polysaccharide (yellow columns) contents of EPS from E.coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days (b); the ratio of protein (PN) and polysaccharide (PS) of EPS from E. coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days (c); surface hydrophobicity of E.coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days using MATH text (d); deposition efficiencies of EPS from E.coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days (e); variations in dissipation as a function of frequency shifts of EPS from E.coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days (f); high-resolution C 1s XPS spectra of EPS from E.coli MG1655 without and with the starvation for 2 and 7 days. Error bar indicates standard deviation of measurements (n ≥ 3). The significant differences are indicated with *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01.