title: The production of poly-(gamma-glutamic acid) from microorganisms and its various applications.
abstract: This review article deals with the chemistry and biosynthesis of poly-(gamma-glutamic acid) (gamma-PGA) produced by various strains of Bacillus. Potential applications of gamma-PGA as thickener, cryoprotectant, humectant, drug carrier, biological adhesive, flocculant, or heavy metal absorbent, etc. with biodegradability in the fields of food, cosmetics, medicine and water treatments are also reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Engineering, Da-Yeh University, Taiwan, ROC. ils@mail.dyu.edu.tw
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Y T
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Van
mesh_terms: D000042:Absorption; D000269:Adhesives; D000818:Animals; D001407:Bacillus / Q000502:physiology*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D003358:Cosmetics; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004345:Drug Industry; D005427:Flocculation; D005524:Food Technology; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000269:Adhesives; D003358:Cosmetics; D003451:Cryoprotective Agents; D004337:Drug Carriers; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid