Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Looking Outwards: Isolation of Cyanobacterial Released Carbohydrate Polymers and Proteins
Published on: May 27, 2019
Characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by cyanobacteria isolated from Polynesian microbial mats
Laurent Richert1, Stjepko Golubic, Roland Le Guédès
1Laboratoire d'Ecologie Marine, Université de la Polynésie Française, B.P. 6570, Faaa, Tahiti, Polynésie Française. lrichert@cairap.pf
Abstract:
Six cyanobacterial isolates recovered from Polynesian microbial mats, called "kopara," were cultured using laboratory-closed photobioreactors and were shown to produce exopolymers as released and capsular exopolysaccharides (EPS). These polymers have been chemically characterized using colorimetric and elemental assays, infrared spectrometry, and gas chromatography. Both capsular and released EPS consisted of 7 to 10 different monosaccharides with neutral sugars predominating. Interestingly, four isolates exhibited sulfate contents ranging from 6% to 19%. On the basis of preliminary data, cyanobacteria from this unusual ecosystem appear to be an important source of novel EPS of a great interest in terms of their biological activities.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Mats
Bacterial Phylum Cyanobacteria
Red Algae
Biofilms
Deep Sea Microbial Ecology
Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes

