NON-TRADITIONAL PRODUCERS OF MICROBIAL EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES

Data on exopolysaccharides synthesis by psychrophilic fungi and bacteriae, halo- and thermophilic archaea and bacteriae, including those isolated from deep-sea hydrothermal vents--sources--were provided. Physiologic significance, physico-chemical properties and possible practical applications of exopolysaccharides from unusual sources were analyzed. Most of them have immunomodulating, antiviral, anticoagulant, antitumor, antioxidant activities promising for medical and pharmaceutical applications. Meanwhile, based on the literature date, the conclusion follows about the urgent necessity to develop efficient technologies for synthesis of these exopolysaccharides by nontraditional producers, which currently lags far behind common techniques.