Screening of marine microalgae: Investigation of new exopolysaccharide producers

International audienceBiopolymers, such as exopolysaccharides are widely exploited by industry as hydrocolloids (gelling, thickening agents) and biological agents (anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antioxidant, etc.). In this study, 166 marine microalgae and cyanobacteria species have been screened in order to identify strains producing original exopolysaccharides. This screening allowed the highlighting of 45 positive strains. In a second time, the monosaccharide compositions from 20 EPS of them were determined by GC/MS and HPAEC-PAD. The results led to a discovery of 8 new genera of microalgae producing EPS, including polymers with a very original composition like richness in GlcA. Finally, a phylogenic tree has been contructed in order to assess the link between the phylogeny of microalgae and the global composition of their exopolymers, based on data obtained in this study and from the literature