Microbial exopolysaccharides: From genes to applications

JOCHEN SCHMID; VOLKER SIEBER; BERND REHM; JULIA FARIÑA; ANKE BECKER; SØREN BALLING ENGELSEN; HELGA ERTESVÅG; LYNNE HOWELL; MISU MOSCOVICI; FERNANDA MOZZI; CHRISTOPHE ROCA; BRODER RÜHMANN; BETTINA SIEBERS; BJORN STOKKE

Frontiers Editorial

Lugar: Lausanne; Año: 2016 p. 163

978-2-88919-843-6

Microbial polysaccharides represent an attractive alternative to those from plants or macro algae. They can be produced from renewable sources including lignocellulose waste. Their production does not depend on geographical constraints and/or seasonal limitations. Additionally the manipulation of biosynthetic pathways to enhance productivity or to influence the chemical polysaccharide composition is comparatively easy in bacteria. Microbial exopolysaccharides represents a valuable source of biogenic and biodegradable polymers, suitable to replace petro based polymers in various technical applications. Furthermore, biocompatible exopolysaccharides are very attractive in medical applications, such as drug delivery systems. This research topic will depict the status qou, as well as the future needs in the field of EPS research. Starting from the unexplored diversity of microbial polysaccharide producers to production processes and possibilities for modifications, to enhance the already high number of functionalities based on the chemical structures. An overview of the recent and future applications will be given, and the necessity in unraveling the biosynthesis of microbial exopolysaccharide producers is depicted, highlighting the future trend of tailor made polymers. Therefore we will behold the whole process from genes to applications.