Potential environmental application of microbial polysaccharides

Abstract

Biopolymers are much more environment friendly. Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have been commercially used in various industrial and medical sectors for many years. These biomaterials in their natural or modified form have excellent physical and chemical properties, based on their capacity to alter the basic properties of water (eg. thickening or gelling). Our attention has been drawn to levan and pullulan as they are non-toxic, non-mutagenic and odorless substances. These biopolymers are reported as antitumor, prebiotic, immunonutrient and for encapsulation agents; also applied as stabilizer, adhesive, emulsifier, flavor and fragrance carrier. This work focuses on their application in the field of ecotoxicology. Here we report toxicity inhibition effect of EPSs on copper (II) in acute toxicity tests with Artemia salina and Daphnia magna.