Microbial Exopolysaccharide - An Inevitable Product for Living Beings and Environment

Several bacteria, algae, fungi and yeasts are known to produce exopolysaccharides (EPS). Ability of microorganisms to produce EPS is direct and logical response to selective pressures in that natural environment. Exopolysaccharides are studied from hydrothermal vent bacteria, halobacteria, methanogens, autotrophic organisms, acidophiles as well as from ground water and sewage sludge microorganisms. Several microorganisms isolated from extreme environments, such as deep-sea hydrothermal vents, Antarctic ecosystems, saline lakes and geothermal springs have started to be studied as potential sources of valuable biopolymers, including EPSs [1,2]. Successful commercial application of microbial exopolysaccharide depends on exploiting physical properties, which concerns with rheology of exopolysaccharides in solution and ability to form gel at low concentration. Technological advancement has led to discovery of the usefulness of bacterial biopolymers to man [3]. Microbial polysaccharides are susceptible to biodegradation in nature and less harmful to environment than synthetic polymers. This contributes to their environment friendliness in industrial applications as well as sewage disposal or environmental uses.