Multifunctional properties of polysaccharides produced by halophilic bacteria and their new applications in biotechnology

Halophilic bacteria produce exopolysaccharides (EPS) as part of their defense strategy against extreme conditions of salt concentrations, pH, low nutrient availability, and sometimes high temperatures prevalent in wide-ranging saline habitats of salt lakes, marine salterns, deep-sea, saline desert, and the sea ice in polar regions. The halophilic microorganisms have developed unique metabolic processes and defense mechanisms for their survival in extreme conditions. One of such strategies includes the ability to produce novel exopolysaccharides. EPS from halophilic bacteria have focused attention due to their unique structural, physiological, and rheological properties. EPS are significant in terms of their diverse composition, size, and structure. It is, therefore, interesting to explore and identify such a wide diversity of the properties and functions of the EPS and their potential applications in food, medicine, cosmetics, textile, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, paint, petroleum, and wastewater treatment. This chapter has focused on the production, purification, and functional properties of the EPS from halophilic microorganisms. Besides, strategies to improve the production and multi-functional properties and potential applications of the EPS are also illustrated.