Screening of local wild-type Xanthomonas spp. for xanthan biosynthesis using media with different carbon sources

In this study the screening of different Xanthomonas strains, isolated from infected crucifers and pepper leaves, for xanthan biosynthesis on semi-synthetic media containing different carbon sources was performed. The success of xanthan biosynthesis was estimated based on xanthan concentration in media and its molecular weight. Glucose and glycerol were investigated as carbon sources in a quantity of 20.0 g/L. Xanthan biosynthesis by different Xanthomonas isolates on two different cultivation media was carried out in Erlenmeyer flasks under aerobic conditions for 168 h. According to the obtained results selection of the carbon source, producing strain and their combination have a statistically significant effect on xanthan quantity and quality. The results obtained in this study indicate that local wild-type Xanthomonas strains isolated from pepper leaves have a great potential for application in biotechnological production of good-quality xanthan on glycerol-based media.