TY  - JOUR
T1  - Exploring the Potential of Microbial Exopolysaccharides as Innovative and Eco-Friendly Cleansing Agents: A Review
A1  - Kuppam Chandrasekhar
A1  - Rosa Anna Nastro
A1  - Prasun Kumar
A1  - Satya Eswari Jujjavarapu
A1  - Davuluri Syam Babu
A1  - Ambati Ranga Rao
A1  - Boddu Sumalatha
A1  - Alugunulla Venkata Narayana
JF  - Journal of Biochemical Technology
JO  - J Biochem Technol
SN  - 0974-2328
Y1  - 2025
VL  - 16
IS  - 3
DO  - 10.51847/RQGqjwM4nG
SP  - 51
EP  - 62
N2  - Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are high molecular weight carbohydrate polymers secreted by bacteria, fungi, and algae, representing an important class of bio-based materials with wide ranging industrial and environmental applications. These polymers are broadly classified into capsular polysaccharides, which remain tightly bound to the microbial cell surface, and slime polysaccharides, which are released into the extracellular medium. The structural diversity of EPS, determined by variations in monosaccharide composition, glycosidic linkages, molecular weight, and functional group substitutions, confers unique physicochemical properties such as viscosity modulation, emulsification, flocculation, and gel formation. Such properties are further complemented by biological activities including antimicrobial effects, biofilm formation, metal ion chelation, and strong biocompatibility, rendering EPS suitable as environmentally friendly cleansing agents in diverse sectors. Beyond their inherent biodegradability and safety, microbial EPS hold promise as sustainable alternatives to chemical surfactants and synthetic polymers in cleaning formulations, wastewater treatment, soil remediation, and biomedical hygiene. This review critically examines the structural complexity, biosynthetic mechanisms, and multifunctional applications of microbial EPS, with particular focus on their emerging role as eco-friendly cleansing agents. It further explores optimization strategies, technological interventions, and future research directions needed to overcome production bottlenecks, improve scalability, and establish standardized evaluation protocols, thereby paving the way for their wider industrial adoption.
UR  - https://jbiochemtech.com/article/exploring-the-potential-of-microbial-exopolysaccharides-as-innovative-and-eco-friendly-cleansing-age-uyyv8vpjo2k6ghn
ER  -