Biotechnology of Microbial Exopolysaccharides

This volume provides a thorough account of the structure and synthesis of microbial exopolysaccharides and of their widespread application across a broad range of industries, including food, oil and medicine. The successful exploitation of these polysaccharides requires a sound scientific understanding of their chemical and physical properties and also their biochemistry and biosynthesis; this volume covers all these aspects in a concise and coherent way. Interest in these polysaccharides has been fuelled by their increasing use in food, in the oil industry and in medicine. The author provides an account of all these areas as well as looking further ahead to speculate how their unique properties might be harnessed for future products and processes.

Preface; 1. Introduction and definition; 2. Analytical and structural methods; 3. Exopolysaccharide structure; 4. Exopolysaccharide-degrading enzymes; 5. Biosynthesis; 6. Physiological aspects of production; 7. Genetics and regulation of exopolysaccharide synthesis; 8. Physical properties of polysaccharides; 9. Industrial uses - food; 10. Industrial uses - non-food; 11. Medical uses of exopolysaccharides; 12. Future prospects; Index.

This volume provides a thorough account of the structure and synthesis of microbial exopolysaccharides and of their widespread application across a broad range of industries, including food, oil and medicine. The successful exploitation of these polysaccharides requires a sound scientific understanding of their chemical and physical properties and also their biochemistry and biosynthesis.