Marine bacterial exopolysaccharides [EPSs] from extreme environments and their biotechnological applications

Abstract

Marine bacteria are habituated to survive in extreme environments like hot, ice cold and saline niches, polluted as well as acidic and alkaline conditions, pressure fluctuations, heavy metal accumulation, pressure, nutrient availability and CO₂, which are typically considered inhospitable for life. For survival in these extreme conditions, marine bacteria have developed new adaptive strategies. Exopolysaccharides [EPSs] are one of the most important secondary metabolites which are secreted externally to the cell surface for growth promotion, protection as barrier against predator, adhering to solid surfaces. They survive under adverse conditions like pH, temperature, salinity and nutrient starvation. Recently, the focus of researchers is towards marine bacteria that produced structurally diverse EPSs. Marine derived EPSs have reported copious biotechnological applications such as, detoxification of heavy metals, bioremediation of pollutants, immune-modulator agents, anticoagulants and cosmetic industry.