Revisiting microbial exopolysaccharides: a biocompatible and sustainable polymeric material for multifaceted biomedical applications

Abstract

Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) have gained significant attention as versatile biomolecules with multifarious applications across various sectors. This review explores the valorisation of EPS and its potential impact on diverse sectors, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology. EPS, secreted by microorganisms, possess unique physicochemical properties, such as high molecular weight, water solubility, and biocompatibility, making them attractive for numerous functional roles. Additionally, EPS exhibit significant bioactivity, contributing to their potential use in pharmaceuticals for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Moreover, the eco-friendly and sustainable nature of microbial EPS production aligns with the growing demand for environmentally conscious processes. However, challenges still exist in large-scale production, purification, and regulatory approval for commercial use. Advances in bioprocessing and microbial engineering offer promising solutions to overcome these hurdles. Stringent investigations have concluded EPS as novel sources for sustainable applications that are likely to emerge and develop, further reinforcing the significance of these biopolymers in addressing contemporary societal needs and driving innovation in various industrial sectors. Overall, the microbial EPS represents a thriving field with immense potential for meeting diverse industrial demands and advancing sustainable technologies.

Keywords: Biopolymers; Drug delivery; Microbial exopolysaccharides; Sustainable polymer; Tissue engineering.

Fig. 1

Biosynthetic pathways involved in synthesis of microbial EPS (P-Phosphate; GT-Glycosyl transferase; PCP-Polysaccharide Co-polymerase; TPR-Tetratricopeptide repeat protein; OPX-Outer membrane polysaccharide export; GMP-Guanosine monophosphate) (Created using Biorender.com)

Fig. 2

Various types of immune response induced by microbial EPS (Modified using Biorender.com)

Fig. 3

Illustration demonstrating various sources of ROS production in cell and inhibition of ROS by microbial exopolysaccharides (NADPH-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Hydrogen) (Created using Biorender.com)

Fig. 4

Mechanistic pathway demonstrating neuroprotective effects of microbial exopolysaccharide via its anti-oxidative potency (TrkB-Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase B; P-Phosphate; Akt-Protein Kinase B; Nrf2-Nuclear Factor Erythroid-2 related Factor; HO-1-Heme Oxygenase-1; GCLC-Glutamate Cysteine Ligase Catalytic Subunit; NQO-1-NAD(P)H Quinone Oxidoreductase) (Created using Biorender.com)

Fig. 5

Cardioprotective effects of microbial exopolysaccharide on atherosclerosis (blood vessel view on treatment progression) (Modified using Biorender.com)

Fig. 6

Anti-cancer potential of microbial exopolysaccharide through immune stimulation (EPS-Exopolysaccharides; IFNγ-Interferon gamma; IL-1β-Interleukin 1-Beta; TNF-Tumor necrosis factor) (Created using Biorender.com)

Fig. 7

Anti-diabetic effect of microbial exopolysaccharide through stimulating the increment in insulin absorption (IR-Insulin Receptor; IRS-Insulin receptor substrate; P13K-phosphoinositide-3 kinase; PDK1/2-Phosphoinositide dependent kinase-1/2; P-Phosphate; Akt-Protein kinase B; GrK3-Glycogen synthase kinase-3; GS-Glycogen synthase; ERK-Extracellular signal regulated kinase; MAPK-Mitogen activated protein kinases; GLUT4-Glucose transporter type-4) (Created using Biorender.com)