Functional Characteristics of an Exopolysaccharide from Antarctic Yeast Strain Cryptococcus Laurentii AL62

ABSTRACTA heterogeneous exopolysaccharide (EPS) containing having xylose, mannose, and glucose as monosaccharide components was produced by the Antarctic yeast strain Cryptococcus laurentii AL62 with the use of sucrose as a good and reliable carbon source. The water solubility and the surface activity of the biopolymer were studied. The emulsifying and stabilising capacity of oil/water emulsions was evaluated at different concentrations of EPS independently or in combination with plant and microbial polysaccharides (guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, and Na-alginate). A synergistic effect was shown in relation to the emulsifying and stabilising properties.