Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Damghan University, Damghan, 36716-41167, Iran.
World J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2023 May 31;39(8):213. doi: 10.1007/s11274-023-03660-x.
Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are valuable extracellular macromolecules secreted as capsules or slime layers. Various microorganisms, including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and algae have been studied for their ability to produce EPSs. Microbial EPSs exist as homopolysaccharides or heteropolysaccharides with various properties such as different monosaccharide compositions, structural conformation, molecular weight, and functional groups. They are cost-effective alternatives to plant and animal-derived polysaccharides because the microbial cells produced them in large quantities by biotechnological processes using low-cost substrates such as industrial wastes in a short time. Microbial EPSs are safe, biodegradable, and compatible polymers. They have extensive bioactivities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, antidiabetic, antiulcer, anticoagulant, antiaging, immunomodulatory, wound healing, and cholesterol-lowering activities. Microbial EPSs owing to biological activities, special biochemical structures, and attractive physicochemical properties find plenty of potential applications in various industries. The enhancement of the production of EPSs and improving their properties can be provided by genetic engineering methods. The current review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the therapeutic activities of microbial EPSs in infectious diseases and metabolic disorders, with a focus on the mechanisms involved. Also, the effect of the physicochemical characteristics of EPSs on these bioactivities was discussed to reveal the structure-activity relationship.
微生物胞外多糖（EPSs）是作为胶囊或黏液层分泌的有价值的细胞外大分子。各种微生物，包括细菌、酵母、真菌和藻类，都因其产生 EPSs 的能力而被研究。微生物 EPSs 存在于同多糖或杂多糖中，具有不同的单糖组成、结构构象、分子量和官能团等特性。由于微生物细胞可以通过生物技术过程在短时间内利用低成本底物（如工业废物）大量生产它们，因此它们是植物和动物来源多糖的经济有效的替代品。微生物 EPSs 是安全、可生物降解和相容的聚合物。它们具有广泛的生物活性，包括抗菌、抗真菌、抗病毒、抗氧化、抗肿瘤、抗糖尿病、抗溃疡、抗凝血、抗衰老、免疫调节、伤口愈合和降胆固醇活性。由于具有生物活性、特殊的生化结构和有吸引力的物理化学性质，微生物 EPSs 在各个行业中有大量潜在的应用。通过遗传工程方法可以提高 EPSs 的产量并改善其性能。本综述旨在全面考察微生物 EPSs 在传染病和代谢紊乱中的治疗活性，重点探讨其涉及的机制。此外，还讨论了 EPSs 的物理化学特性对这些生物活性的影响，以揭示结构-活性关系。
