Evaluation of two fungal exopolysaccharides as potential biomaterials for wound healing applications

Abstract

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are mostly produced by bacteria and fungi and have potential use in nutraceuticals, medicine, and industry. The present study investigated the in vitro biological activities and in vivo wound healing effects of EPSs produced from a Sclerotium-forming fungus (Sclerotium glucanicum DSM 2159) and a yeast (Rhodosporidium babjevae), denoted as scleroglucan (Scl) and EPS-R, respectively. EPS yields of 0.9 ± 0.07 g/L and 1.11 ± 0.4 g/L were obtained from S. glucanicum and R. babjevae, respectively. The physicochemical properties of the EPSs were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Both EPSs were cytocompatible toward the human fibroblast cell line and showed hemocompatibility. Wound healing capacities of the EPSs (10 mg/mL) were also determined in vivo. EPSs produced by S. glucanicum and R. babjevae have the potential as biocompatible components for dermal wound healing.