title: Characterization of haloglycan, an exopolysaccharide produced by Halomonas stenophila HK30.
abstract: We have conducted a thorough study of the exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by strain HK30 of Halomonas stenophila, which we have named haloglycan. This strain was chosen during an ongoing research programme aimed at finding novel exopolysaccharide-producing halophilic bacteria in unexplored hypersaline habitats. Strain HK30 was isolated from a saline-wetland in Brikcha (Morocco) and identified as belonging to the species H. stenophila. It produced EPS mainly during the exponential growth phase and to a lesser extent during the stationary phase. Culture parameters influenced both bacterial growth and EPS production, EPS yield always being directly related to the quantity of biomass. Under optimum culture conditions, strain HK30 produced 3.89 g of EPS per litre of medium. The polymer was a sulphated heteropolysaccharide composed of two fractions, with molecular masses of 8.2 × 10(4) and 1.4 × 10(6). The crude EPS contained 44 ± 0.1% w/w carbohydrates and the following monosaccharide composition: glucose (24 ± 1.73), glucuronic acid (7.5 ± 0.37), mannose (5.5 ± 0.17), fucose (4.5 ± 0.36), galactose (1.2 ± 0.17) and rhamnose (1 ± 0.05) (%, w/w). It produced solutions of high viscosity and pseudoplastic behaviour that showed interesting flocculating and emulsifying activities and was also involved in forming biofilm.
authors.affiliation: Microbial Exopolysaccharide Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essâadi, BP2121, 93002 Tetouan, Morocco. Electronic address: amjresha@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Hakima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amjres
authors.affiliation: Microbial Exopolysaccharide Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: vbejar@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Béjar
authors.affiliation: Microbial Exopolysaccharide Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: equesada@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Emilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quesada
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Granada Health-Sciences Technology Park, Avda. del Conocimiento s/n, 18100 Armilla-Granada, Spain. Electronic address: dianacarranzadominguez_4@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carranza
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University Abdelmalek Essâadi, BP2121, 93002 Tetouan, Morocco. Electronic address: abrinij@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Jamal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Abrini
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Marine Molecules, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France. Electronic address: Jacqueline.Ratiskol@ifremer.fr.
authors.forename: Corinne
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sinquin
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Marine Molecules, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France.
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ratiskol
authors.affiliation: IFREMER, Laboratory of Biotechnology and Marine Molecules, Rue de l'Ile d'Yeu, BP 21105, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France. Electronic address: Sylvia.Colliec.Jouault@ifremer.fr.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Colliec-Jouault
authors.affiliation: Microbial Exopolysaccharide Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. Electronic address: illamas@ugr.es.
authors.forename: Inmaculada
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Llamas
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry; D005427:Flocculation; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D020632:Halomonas / Q000737:chemistry*; D007700:Kinetics; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010802:Phylogeny; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012212:Rheology; D012996:Solutions; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D012996:Solutions
keywords: Biotechnology; Exopolysaccharide (EPS); Halomonas; Halomonas stenophila; Halophiles