A two-stage cultivation technique for producing microbial exopolysaccaride ethapolan with improved rheological properties

Abstract

A two-stage technique was proposed for cultivating producers of microbial exopolysaccharide ethapolan. The practical value of ethapolan is determined by its rheological properties. The use of a formaldehyde-supplemented medium at the second stage of cultivation improved the rheological properties of ethapolan without reducing its yield. This effect of formaldehyde was due to its binding to the exopolysaccharide, which altered the molecular-weight characteristics of the latter and protected cells against the toxic action of formaldehyde. At all stages of its purification, ethapolan had improved rheological properties, suggesting that it was tightly bound to formaldehyde.