Microbial exopolisaccharides for biomedical applications

Abstract Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are polymers based on monosaccharides that are secreted to the external environment by different microorganisms. Several EPSs have been studied over the past few decades regarding their synthesis, properties, and composition as well as their potential applications mainly in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Due to their biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics, EPSs are emerging as potential biomaterials that in pure or composite forms can be used for biomedical applications such as wound healing, bone regeneration, tissue engineering, and drug delivery. This chapter discusses the biosynthetic pathways for the different EPSs, how to obtain them, and their potential utilization in biomedical applications.