Characterization and Identification of Novel Bacterial Exopolysaccharides

Polysaccharides represent an important class of carbohydrates that are composed of multiple units of either the same type (homopolysaccharides) or different types of monosaccharides (heteropolysaccharides). In bacteria, polysaccharides are produced through an intricate and detailed biosynthetic pathway, and they account for a number of essential functions. Specifically, exopolysaccharides, which are polysaccharides that are secreted by bacteria into the external environment, are crucial for biofilm formation, adhesion, and host defense, as well as resistance mechanisms. Over the decades, the importance of exopolysaccharides and their possible applications has grown across fields such as medicine, healthcare, and polymer design and development, as well as the food industry. Along with this, research studies have also revealed robust biological activities of exopolysaccharides, such as anticancer, antibacterial, and immunomodulatory effects. Considering the importance of bacteria and their exopolysaccharides, research in the field of applied microbiology focuses on the identification of novel bacterial strains from different environments, and the further characterization and study of their exopolysaccharide extracts for various biological activities. As a part of this process, there are multiple challenges and complexities that come into play, which range from difficulties in sample collection to the optimization of culture methods and DNA sequencing for strain identification. As a result, creating an end-to-end standardized protocol for the characterization and identification of novel bacterial exopolysaccharides is crucial, which will be explained and elaborated in this chapter.