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Curdlan Gum Production Using Marine Bacteria Isolated from Red Seaweeds: Screening and Optimization Studies

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Abstract—

Exopolysaccharides of marine microbial origin are in demand in industry. Seaweeds are marine macroalgae that harbor diverse microorganisms with unique properties. In this perspective, the present study was focused on screening and isolation of marine bacteria from seaweeds for the production of an exopolysaccharide, curdlan gum, which is a linear (1 → 3)-β-d-glucan neutral exopolysaccharide produced by bacteria under conditions of nitrogen starvation. It has unique thermo gelation properties and extensive applications. A total of 78 marine bacteria were screened and isolated from different seaweeds and assessed for their potential for curdlan gum production using aniline blue agar. Curdlan gum was recovered using acidic precipitation. High-yield isolate, screened from red seaweed (Gracilaria foliifera) was designated as “RSW2n” and chosen as a potential producer. The identity of the isolate RSW2n was revealed as Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens based on its morphology, biochemical characteristics, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Optimization of the process parameters such as initial pH, inoculum percentage, production time, and production medium volume by single factor at a time method yielded 4.2 g/L of curdlan gum using Enterobacter cloacae strain RSW2n. Characterization of curdlan gum produced by this marine isolate was carried out using XRD and FT-IR analyses. Further, production of curdlan gum by Enterobacter cloacae RSW2n with different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, fructose, maltose, glycerol, dates syrup, palm oil and starch) was studied.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

University Research Fellowship provided by management of Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education to Mrs. Ezhilarasi is gratefully acknowledged. The authors acknowledge the support provided by International Research Centre, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Management for characterization studies. The authors express their sincere gratitude to Dr. M. Palanisamy, Scientist-E of Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Southern Regional Centre, Coimbatore, for his support in the identification of marine seaweeds.

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, 626126, Krishnankoil, Tamilnadu, India

    P. Ezhilarasi & B. Vanavil

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  1. P. Ezhilarasi
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Correspondence to B. Vanavil.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. This article does not contain any studies involving animals or human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Ezhilarasi, P., Vanavil, B. Curdlan Gum Production Using Marine Bacteria Isolated from Red Seaweeds: Screening and Optimization Studies. Microbiology 92, 725–733 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0026261723600131

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