A new tool to detect high viscous exopolymers from microalgae

J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011 Feb;38(2):319-26. doi: 10.1007/s10295-010-0775-9. Epub 2010 Jul 16.

Abstract

Microalgae are microorganisms often surrounded by a slime layer made of secreted polymeric substances sometimes including polysaccharides. These polysaccharides, weakly described in the literature, can constitute value-added molecules in several industrial areas. The aim of this article is to show that a new tool, the BioFilm Ring Test®, can be used to detect viscous microalgal exopolymers. Two red microalgal strains (Rhodella violacea and Porphyridium purpureum), one cyanobacterium (Arthrospira platensis) and their excreted polymeric fractions were studied. R. violacea and P. purpureum induced a positive response with the BioFilm Ring Test® contrary to A. platensis. Finally, the understanding of the fractions viscosity involvement in the BRT response was performed by a rheological study.

MeSH terms

  • Biofilms
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Culture Media / chemistry
  • Cyanobacteria / chemistry
  • Cyanobacteria / growth & development
  • Microalgae / chemistry*
  • Microalgae / growth & development
  • Polysaccharides / analysis*
  • Porphyridium / chemistry
  • Porphyridium / growth & development
  • Rhodophyta / chemistry
  • Rhodophyta / growth & development
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Polysaccharides