The current work focuses on the isolation, characterization, and purification of an exopolysaccharide secreted by a novel bacterium isolated from dried anchovies. The bacterium was identified as Bacillus subtilis using 16S sequencing. B. subtilis in MRS medium produced exopolysaccharide (EPS), which gave a maximum yield of 1928 mg/L. The total molecular weight of the polysaccharide present was around 20 kDa. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy of the EPS displays the existence of methylene, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups. Atomic force microscopy indicates a highly cross-linked structure with lumps. Scanning electron microscopy studies showed a coarse surface. The EPS also showed emulsification potential. This study shows that the EPS is a prospective candidate for further studies on their applications.
Key words: Probiotic, Exopolysaccharide, antioxidants, Metal chelation, Emulsification, bacterial polysaccharide, secretory substances.
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