Characterization and Biological Activities of an Alkali Soluble Exopolysaccharide from Acetobacter

Natural polysaccharides have received much attention due to the plethora of their applications. Acetobacter sp. MRL 5A (KX082688) produced an alkali soluble exopolysaccharide (20.39 g/L) on sucrose based media during the late log and early stationary phases. The exopolysaccharide was insoluble in water with high moisture-retention ability and produced viscous solutions and gels. The exopolysaccharide contained 40.3% glucose, 34.4% galactose, 22.2% mannose and 3.1% of arabinose monomers revealed by GC. The exopolysaccharide showed emulsifying, flocculating and in-vitro antioxidant activity similar to standard exopolysaccharides like dextran and xanthan. This EPS can be of potential use in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.