Comprehensive Characterization of Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Pseudomonas aeroginosa SUI 2

Abstract

Exopolysaccharides are microbial biomolecules mainly composed of polysaccharides produced by bacteria, fungi, and algae. This study aimed to characterize exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Pseudomonas spp. Isolated previously from soil collected at the Teaching and Research Farm, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, using cultural and molecular techniques. Four isolates were screened, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa SUI2 was selected for EPS production. The EPS was characterized for functional groups, elemental composition, and monomeric sugar components using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography HPLC/MS analyses. FTIR results showed O–H, N–H, C=C, C–N, and C–I functional groups corresponding to hydroxyl, amine, alkene, and halo compounds. HPLC/MS analysis revealed glucose, galactose, rhamnose, D-ribose, xylose, mannose, inositol, and arabinose, with glucose as the predominant monomer. EDX analysis showed the elemental composition, which included carbon, nitrogen, sodium, phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, zinc, and potassium. These findings highlight the structural complexity of EPS produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa SUI2 and its potential relevance for biotechnological applications and support future research into sustainable microbial polymer production and industrial use.