International Journal of Agriculture, Environment & Biotechnology
Citation: IJAEB: 7 Special Issue : 511-523 July 2014
©2014 New Delhi Publishers. All rights reserved
Biochemistry
Production of Exopolysaccharide (EPS) and its Application
by New Fungal Isolates SGMP 1 and SGMP 2
Mayuri Patel, Unisha Patel and Shilpa Gupte*
Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Integrated Study and Research in Biotechnology and Allied Sciences,
New Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388 121, Dist - Anand, Gujarat, India.
*Corresponding author. shilpa_gupte2007@hotmail.com
Abstract
Exopolysaccharide producing fungal cultures were screened from the soil samples collected from New Vallabh Vidyanagar, Dist. Anand,
Gujarat (India). The isolates designated as SGMP1 and SGMP2 were found to be significant producers of exopolysaccharide (EPS). The
present study shows optimization, characterization and certain applications of EPS produced by selected isolates. The isolates SGMP1 and
SGMP2 showed a maximum production of EPS 20.5 ± 0.85 g/l and 7.5 ± 0.4 g/l respectively with supplementation of 2% glucose and starch.
Yeast extract was used as a nitrogen source at a concentration of 2% (w/v). The maximum production of EPS 7.5 g/l was obtained for SGMP2.
The FTIR analysis of EPS showed the presence of polysaccharides, carboxylic acids and lactone. The fungal EPS showed antimicrobial
and antioxidant properties. The EPS produced by the fungal isolate showed 99 % flocculating activity and could also act as an emulsifier.
Furthermore, the fungal isolates SGMP1 and SGMP2 were able to remove Al +3 and Fe +3 up to the 600 mg/l concentration which suffices the
role of EPS in bioremediation of heavy metals.
Highlights
    • Using optimized media, maximum EPS production 27.5 ± 0.5 g/l and 7.5 g/l was observed for SGMP1 and SGMP2 fungal isolates
    respectively.
    • The FTIR analysis of fungal origin EPS determined the presence of sugars as functional groups.
    • The fungal EPS showed high water absorbing capacity which can be served as water absorbing agent.
    • The fungal EPS of both the isolates gave antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, flocculating activity and also act as emulsifier.
    • The SGMP1 and SGMP2 isolates were also able to remove Al +3 and Fe +3 up to the 600 mg/l concentration.
    Keywords: Exopolysaccharide, fungal isolates, antioxidant
    The increased demand of natural polymers for various
    most of them which have various physiological activities
    industrial applications in recent years has led to a renewed
    originated from fungi, especially from mushrooms
    interest in exopolysaccharide production by microbes.
    (Mahoumad et al., 2004). EPS have ability to fulfill
    Many microorganisms have an ability to produce
    different tasks during the growth on natural substrates,
    exopolysaccharide extracellularly either as soluble or
    such as adhesion to surfaces, immobilization of secreted
    insoluble polymers. Recently many polysaccharides and
    enzymes, and prevention of hyphae from dehydration and
    polysaccharide protein complexes have been isolated
    increased residence time of nutrients inside the mucilage
    from marine algae, lichens and plants. Furthermore,
    (Bolla et al., 2010).