A moderately halophilic bacterium, Halomonas xianhensis SUR308 (Genbank Accession No. KJ933394) was isolated from a multi-pond solar saltern at Surala, Ganjam district, Odisha, India. The isolate produced a significant amount (7.87 g l(-1)) of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) when grown in malt extract-yeast extract medium supplemented with 2.5% NaCl, 0.5% casein hydrolysate and 3% glucose. The EPS was isolated and purified following the conventional method of precipitation and dialysis. Chromatographic analysis (paper, GC and GC-MS) of the hydrolyzed EPS confirmed its heteropolymeric nature and showed that it is composed mainly of glucose (45.74 mol%), galactose (33.67 mol %) and mannose (17.83 mol%). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of methylene and carboxyl groups as characteristic functional groups. In addition, its proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum revealed functional groups specific for extracellular polysaccharides. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the amorphous nature (CIxrd, 0.56) of the EPS. It was thermostable up to 250 °C and displayed pseudoplastic rheology and remarkable stability against pH and salts. These unique properties of the EPS produced by H. xianhensis indicate its potential to act as an agent for detoxification, emulsification and diverse biological activities.

A moderately halophilic bacterium, Halomonas xianhensis SUR308 (GenBank Accession No. KJ933394) was isolated from multi-pond solar salterns of Odisha, India. Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by this strain in malt extract yeast extract (MY) medium has been optimized under batch culture system. Among the different media tested, MY medium showed an EPS production of 2.55 g/L, which increased to 2.85 g/L under optimized aeration. An initial pH of 7.5 and incubation temperature of 32 °C were found to be most suitable for EPS production by the isolate under aerobic condition. An EPS production of 3.85 g/L was achieved when the growth medium was supplemented with 2.5% NaCl. Glucose was the most favourable carbon source for EPS production and maximum production (5.70 g/L) was recorded with 3% glucose. However, growth as well as production of EPS was remarkably affected when the growth medium was supplemented with hydrocarbons as sole source of carbon. Among different nitrogen sources, casein hydrolysate at 0.5% level was proved to be the best for EPS production and an initial inoculum dose of 7% (v/v) enhanced the EPS production to 7.78 g/L, while the divalent metal ions were in general toxic to growth and EPS production, EPS synthesis by SUR308 was enhanced with Cr (VI) supplementation.

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