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Characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by seven biofilm-forming cyanobacterial strains for biotechnological applications

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Abstract

The molecular identification of seven biofilm-forming cyanobacteria and the characterization of their exopolysaccharides were made and considered in terms of potential biotechnological applications. The studied strains were isolated from phototrophic biofilms taken from various Italian sites including a wastewater treatment plant, an eroded soil, and a brackish lagoon. The polysaccharides were characterized by use of ion exchange chromatography, circular dichroism, and cytochemical stains. All strains produced exopolysaccharides with differing ratios of hydrophobic and hydrophilic moieties depending on the species, the polysaccharide fraction (i.e., whether capsular or released), and the ambient conditions. It was shown that the anionic nature of the exopolysaccharides was due to the presence of carboxylic and sulfated groups and is likely the main characteristic with industrial applicability. Potential biotechnological applications are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Dr. Elena Romano from the Centre of Advanced Microscopy (CAM), Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” for her assistance in the use of the facility, Roberto Targa for his assistance in the composition of figures, and the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. This research was partly supported by CNR-IAMC, National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment UO Oristano, Italy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNR–IAMC, National Research Council, Institute for Coastal Marine Environment, Località Sa Mardini, Torregrande, Oristano, Italy

    Francesca Di Pippo & Paolo Magni

  2. CNR-IRSA, National Research Council, Water Research Institute, Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Monterotondo stazione, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Di Pippo

  3. Department of Geological Sciences, University of Rome “Roma Tre”, Rome, Italy

    Neil T. W. Ellwood

  4. LBA-Laboratory for Biology of Algae, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy

    Alessandra Gismondi & Laura Bruno

  5. Department of Agrifood Production and Environmental Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Federico Rossi & Roberto De Philippis

  6. CNR–ISMAR, National Research Council, Institute of Marine Science, Venice, Italy

    Paolo Magni

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  1. Francesca Di Pippo
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  2. Neil T. W. Ellwood
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  3. Alessandra Gismondi
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  4. Laura Bruno
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  5. Federico Rossi
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  6. Paolo Magni
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  7. Roberto De Philippis
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Correspondence to Francesca Di Pippo.

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This study is dedicated to the memory of Prof. Patrizia B. Albertano (1952–2012)

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Di Pippo, F., Ellwood, N.T.W., Gismondi, A. et al. Characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by seven biofilm-forming cyanobacterial strains for biotechnological applications. J Appl Phycol 25, 1697–1708 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0028-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0028-1

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