Potential Biomedical Applications of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Geobacillus sp. strain EP1 — 73a — Grayson Glass¹, Allison Kahler¹, Kelly M. Sutko¹, Dr. Tanvi Govil¹

¹ Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD, USA

Petroleum-based polymers have many uses in the biomedical field, from surgical sealants to drug encapsulation. Select synthetic polymers are biocompatible making them top choices for biomedical applications. However, these synthetic polymers are not renewable, and the biomedical waste adds to the accumulation of plastic in the environment. This waste has harmful effects to the environment and need to be replaced with environmentally friendly sources of polymers. Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are biopolymers produced by microorganisms that offer several advantages over synthetic polymers. EPSs are non-toxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and renewable. Geobacillus sp. EP1 is a promising candidate for a cost-effective producer of thermostable EPS. This study looks at the production scaling, extraction, film creation, and antimicrobial activity of EPS produced by EP1. Optimization of EPS production was targeted for yield and quality, ensuring high amounts of biopolymer could be obtained efficiently. The extraction process was refined to maximize the purity and functionality of the EPS. Films were created from the EPS, demonstrating their potential use in biomedical applications such as wound dressings, surgical sealants, and drug delivery systems. The antimicrobial activity of the EPS was tested, revealing its effectiveness against various pathogens, further supporting its application in the biomedical field. The study also explored the scalability of EPS production, ensuring that large quantities could be produced to meet industrial demands.  Further testing of viability and biodegradability could place EPS as a as a potential replacement for petroleum-based polymers in biomedical applications. 

Keywords: Biopolymer, Renewable, Exopolysaccharides, Biomedical

South Dakota Mines
Dr. Tanvi Govil