Functional Characteristics of an Exopolysaccharide from Antarctic Yeast Strain<i>Cryptococcus Laurentii</i>AL₆₂

Abstract

A heterogeneous exopolysaccharide (EPS) containing having xylose, mannose, and glucose as monosaccharide components was produced by the Antarctic yeast strain Cryptococcus laurentii AL62 with the use of sucrose as a good and reliable carbon source. The water solubility and the surface activity of the biopolymer were studied. The emulsifying and stabilising capacity of oil/water emulsions was evaluated at different concentrations of EPS independently or in combination with plant and microbial polysaccharides (guar gum, cellulose gum, xanthan gum, and Na-alginate). A synergistic effect was shown in relation to the emulsifying and stabilising properties.