An Overview of Cyanobacterial Exopolysaccharides: Features, Composition and Effects of Stress Exposure

Abstract

Cyanobacterial polysaccharides have been topic of current research interests for quite some time. Most of the cyanobacteria are observed to secrete a somewhat slimy material which is either loosely bound to or released to the medium. These extracellular polysaccharidic materials are of high molecular weight and consist of either one or different sugar residues. The presence of more than one uronic acids and/or acetylated amino sugars, phosphate, lactate etc. are thought to be one of the main reasons of the structural complexity of these materials. The structural composition and productivity of cyanobacterial polysaccharides are usually changed during different stress exposure including aging. This unique property can play a vital role in the possible biotechnological exploitation in various fields. Though ample data are there, still there is a large gap between the information on hand and the technology needed to meet the demand of the industrial sectors on the other. In the current review article an attempt has been taken to compile the information available about the main features, structural composition, varied roles and to highlight the thrust areas in a detail approach.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v8i4.10891