Exopolysaccharides from Enterobacter sp. ACD2 isolated from the Tabuk area of Saudi Arabia have biological and microbiological activity

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from bacteria have been shown to have industrial and medicinal applications. By improving the culture conditions of Enterobacter sp. isolated from the marine environment of Haqel Beach in the Tabuk region of Saudi Arabia, our group has previously obtained a high yield of EPS production (8.6 gm/L). The chosen strain was then identified using traditional techniques and molecular characterization utilizing 16S Ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing. The composition of this EPS was established in this study, and its anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, antibacterial, and prebiotic actions were assessed. We used acid hydrolysis and qualitative and quantitative paper chromatography to identify the monosaccharide moieties of this EPS (PC). This EPS had almost 25% glucose, 25% galactose, 40% fucose, 10% uronic acid, and traces of fructose in its monosaccharide composition. Sulfation was done to the EPS that was created. Both the native and sulfated EPS were tested for biological and microbiological (anticoagulation, fibrinolytic, antimicrobial, and prebiotic) activities, and both showed higher antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, but neither form showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The native and sulfated EPS’s minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) that maintained the maximum bacterial inhibition zone was 15 mg/dl. There were no prebiotic activities seen in either EPS. Finally, the generated biopolymer possesses considerable biological activity that will require additional adaption for practical and industrial uses.