Production of Exopolysaccharides by P. Aeruginosa, P. Fluorescens and Bacillus Species

A comparative study was carried out on the production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) at the laboratory scale. EPS was produced from P. aeruginosa, P. fluorescens and Bacillus species. EPS was obtained by ethanol precipitation method and the total carbohydrate content was determined. The major sugar unit was found to be glucose using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The functional groups were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. The production of EPS was noted to be higher during its stationary phase of growth. The maximum yield of EPS, by batch studies, was found to be produced by Bacillus sp. (1,352 mg/L), followed by P. aeruginosa (1,302 mg/L) and P. fluorescens (1,285 mg/L).