An overview on marine bacterial exopolysaccharides and their industrial applications

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are sugar-based biopolymers produced by bacteria in response to environmental stress. Bacterial EPSs (BEPSs) have attracted attention across multiple industries due to their biodegradable and nontoxic nature. Their large-scale production and ease of purification make BEPSs more favorable than other intracellular and cell wall polysaccharides. Two key approaches are used to enhance BEPS yields: metabolic engineering and the utilization of low-cost materials for eco-friendly production. Despite ongoing efforts to isolate and classify new marine BEPSs, only a few have been industrially utilized. The discovery of BEPSs with novel sugar compositions or structural modifications could unlock new applications. Currently, marine BEPSs are used as thickeners, stabilizers, and gelling agents in the food industry and show potential in cosmetics, biotechnology, wastewater treatment, petroleum recovery, and textiles. While their use is still in the early stage, BEPSs hold significant promise as versatile biomaterials. This review highlights bacterial sources of marine EPSs and explores their industrial potential.