DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i10.002

Pages: 699-707

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) are polysaccharides secreted by certain bacteria. Exiguobacterium aurantiacum and Brevundimonas diminuta, isolated from Nador’s Marchica lagoon from soil and water samples were found to be capable of producing exopolysaccharides in YPM (Yeast-Peptone-Mineral salts) and YPMG (Yeast-Peptone-Glucose- Mineral salts) media. The partial characterization of the exopolysaccharides was carried out by an analysis combining infrared (FTIR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). These exopolysaccharides would contain homopolymers composed of glucose. The crude EPS produced by E. aurantiacum showed a 35% antiproliferative activity against myeloid cancer and a flocculating activity of 68%. The EPS produced by B. diminuta demonstrated a 20% antiproliferative activity against myeloid cancer and a flocculating activity of 66%. This yield is better than that observed with the current industrial flocculants, suggesting the use of these EPS as a new biodegradable bioflocculant in water treatment.