Isolation of Exopolysaccharide-Producing Bacteria from Curd and Extraction of Exopolysaccharides for Industrial Use

Abstract

This research paper investigates the isolation of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing bacteria from curd samples and the subsequent extraction of EPS for industrial utilization. Exopolysaccharides are high molecular weight polysaccharides synthesized by microorganisms, exhibiting diverse functional properties with significant industrial applications. Curd, a fermented dairy product, harbors a rich microbial community, making it an attractive source for isolating EPS-producing bacteria. The isolation process involves selective enrichment and screening of bacterial isolates for EPS production, followed by characterization of morphological, biochemical, and molecular properties. Various extraction methods, including physical, chemical, and enzymatic techniques, are employed to solubilize and recover EPS from bacterial biomass. Purification techniques such as filtration, chromatography, and membrane separation facilitate the removal of impurities and cellular debris, resulting in concentrated EPS solutions with desirable functional properties. Evaluation of EPS functional properties reveals their potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biomedicine, including thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, and regenerative properties. The diversity of EPS-producing bacteria isolated from curd underscores the rich microbial diversity present in fermented dairy products, offering new opportunities for discovering novel microbial resources with industrial relevance. Molecular identification techniques provide insights into the taxonomic diversity and evolutionary relationships of EPS-producing bacteria, guiding strain selection and further characterization for industrial applications. Overall, the isolation of EPS-producing bacteria from curd and the extraction of EPS offer promising avenues for biotechnological innovation and industrial utilization, contributing to the development of functional ingredients, biomaterials, and biotechnological solutions across diverse industries.