Exopolysaccharides Producing Bacteria: A Review

Abstract

Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are essential natural biopolymers used in different areas including biomedicine, food, cosmetic, petroleum, and pharmaceuticals and also in environmental remediation. The interest in them is primarily due to their unique structure and properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, higher purity, hydrophilic nature, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibacterial, and immune-modulating and prebiotic activities. The present review summarizes the current research progress on bacterial EPSs including their properties, biological functions, and promising applications in the various fields of science, industry, medicine, and technology, as well as characteristics and the isolation sources of EPSs-producing bacterial strains. This review provides an overview of the latest advances in the study of such important industrial exopolysaccharides as xanthan, bacterial cellulose, and levan. Finally, current study limitations and future directions are discussed.

Ligand-Free Silver Nanoparticles: An Innovative Strategy against Viruses and Bacteria

“…Bacterial biofilm formation results from bacterial adhesion to both biotic and abiotic surfaces coupled with the synthesis and secretion of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) by bacterial cells [39]. Bacteria adhere to surfaces and, triggered by environmental cues, prompt the synthesis of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) [40]. Consequently, the inhibition or prevention of these processes would consequently restrict biofilm formation.…”

Bifidobacterium exopolysaccharides: new insights into engineering strategies, physicochemical functions, and immunomodulatory effects on host health

“…EPS can be categorized into two groups based on their properties, namely homopolysaccharides (HoPSs), composed of a single monosaccharide, and heteropolysaccharides (HePSs), consisting of one or more types of monosaccharides ( Salazar et al, 2016 ; Angelin and Kavitha, 2020 ; Netrusov et al, 2023 ; Salimi and Farrokh, 2023 ). While homopolysaccharides are produced by certain lactic acid bacteria, their production in bifidobacteria remains unidentified ( Hidalgo-Cantabrana et al, 2012 ; Castro-Bravo et al, 2018b ; Lynch et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Traditionally, EPSs play a vital role in fermented dairy products owing to its gelling and thickening properties, which also offer potential health benefits ( Salazar et al, 2009 ; Sørensen et al, 2022 ). Due to their unique physiological and biological properties, these compounds can help strengthen the body’s immune system and effectively combat inflammation and various diseases, as well as serving as biological additives in various products such as food, pharmaceuticals, and health products ( Xu et al, 2019 ; Angelin and Kavitha, 2020 ; Korcz and Varga, 2021 ; Netrusov et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In particular, EPSs, with their diverse chemical and structural composition, perform various functions across industries including agriculture, dairy, biofilm formation, cosmetics, etc., demonstrating their biotechnological significance ( Netrusov et al, 2023 ). EPSs are a type of polysaccharide ( Lim et al, 2020 ) and carbohydrate polymer widely distributed in various organisms, including plants, animals, microorganisms, and others ( Yue et al, 2023a ).…”

“…Consequently, Bifidobacteria are commonly utilized for the direct production of EPS in fermented products ( Xu et al, 2019 ). Additionally, EPSs play various roles in protecting bacteria against osmotic stress ( Bhagat et al, 2021 ), desiccation ( Carezzano et al, 2023 ), extreme temperatures, salinity, UV rays, chemical agents such as antibiotics and heavy metals ( Shukla et al, 2017 ), phagocytosis, and bacteriophage attacks ( Laiño et al, 2016 ; Schmid, 2018 ; Angelin and Kavitha, 2020 ; Korcz and Varga, 2021 ; Netrusov et al, 2023 ). Hence, they serve as vital biological components in the interaction between microorganisms and the host ( Laiño et al, 2016 ).…”