Modification of exopolysaccharide composition and production by three cyanobacterial isolates under salt stress

Background, aim, and scope Polysaccharides are renewable resources representing an important class of polymeric materials of biotechnological interest, offering a wide variety of potentially useful products to mankind. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) of microbial origin with a novel functionality, reproducible physico-chemical properties, stable cost and supply, became a better alternative to polysaccharides of algal origin. EPSs are believed to protect bacterial cells from desiccation, heavy metals or other environmental stresses, including hostimmune responses, and to produce biofilms, thus enhancing the cells chances of colonising special ecological niches. One of the most important stress factor is salt stress for microorganisms. The present investigation is aimed to determine correlation between salt resistance and EPS production by three cyanobacterial isolates (Synechocystis sp. BASO444, Synechocystis sp. BASO507 and Synechocystis sp. BASO511). It is also aimed to investigate the effect of salt concentrations on EPS production by cyanobacteria and effect of salt on monosaccharide composition of EPS. Materials and methods Cyanobacterial isolates were identified by 16 S rRNA analysis. Its salt (NaCl) tolerance and association with exopolysaccharides (EPSs) production in three cyanobacterial isolates were investigated. Also, EPS was analysed by HPLC for monomer characterization. Results Increased EPS production was associated with NaCl tolerance. The most tolerant isolate, Synechocystis sp. BASO444, secreted the most EPS (500 mg/L). EPS production by Synechocystis sp. BASO444, Synechocystis sp. BASO507 and Synechocystis sp. BASO511 was investigated following exposure to 0.2 and 0.4 M NaCl. Also, flasks containing medium without NaCl were inoculated in the same manner to serve as controls. The monosaccharide compositions of EPS produced by the three isolates following exposure to 0.2 M NaCl were analysed by HPLC. Control EPS of BASO444 was composed of glucose (97%) and galacturonic acid (3%). The composition of BASO511 (control) was glucose (95%), xylose (4.80%), arabinose (0.13%), glucuronic acid (0.03%) and galacturonic acid (0.04%). However, the composition of BASO507 (control) was glucose (0.98%), xylose (98.00%), arabinose (1.00%), glucuronic acid (0.01%) and galacturonic acid (0.01%). In the presence of 0.2 M NaCl, EPS compositions and ratios of three cyanobacterial isolates changed. Discussion Although hyperproduction of EPS in response to starvation, antiviral activity, thickening agent and cosmetic industry for product formulations has been reported for cyanobacteria, the effect of NaCl on EPS production in cyanobacteria is not a popular area of study. There are no clear reports correlating EPS production and NaCl tolerance. The gap in the data about the effect of NaCl on cyanobacterial EPS production was filled by this investigation, and the results of our study have important implications in both the industrial and environmental arenas. Conclusions Our results indicate that 1) exposure to elevated concentrations of NaCl affects the composition of EPS produced by Synechocystis sp. BASO444, Synechocystis sp. BASO507 and Synechocystis sp. BASO511, and 2) there is a correlation between NaCl tolerance and EPS production in some cyanobacteria. Recommendations and perspectives Differences in the monosaccharide composition and ratios of EPS may promote NaCl tolerance in these microorganisms. As well, these alternative composition polysaccharides may be important for industrial applications.