Bacterial exopolysaccharides produced by newly discovered bacteria belonging to the genus Halomonas, isolated from hypersaline habitats in Morocco

We have studied the exopolysaccharides (EPS) from a new group of moderately halophilic bacteria belonging to the genus Halomonas, The quantity of EPS produced, its chemical composition and physical properties depend greatly upon the bacterial strain. The majority of the polymers produced viscous solutions and/or emulsified different hydrocarbon compounds. The most interesting strain, S-30, produced EPS at 2.8 g/l with a maximum viscosity of 23.5 Pa.5 and exhibited pseudoplastic behavior. This EPS emulsified five hydrocarbons more efficiently than did four control surfactants tested, Its monosaccharide composition was glucose:galactose:manose:glucuronic acid in equimolar ratio. Some two-thirds of the strains tested emulsified crude oil better than control surfactants did, There are many potential industrial applications for polysaccharides with these qualities.