MICROBIAL BIOPOLYMERS FROM AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS - PRODUCTION AND POTENTIAL

Various approaches are possible when considering the potential for pro ducing microbial polysaccharides (biopolymers). They can be synthesize d from pure chemicals at considerable expense, or, they may at least i n part be produced from readily available local sources of utilizable fermentable substrates. Alternatively, semi-synthetic media containing both relatively pure chemicals and substrates derived from waste can be used. This is currently common practice. Each approach has both adv antages and disadvantages. Of prime importance are the physico-chemica l properties and the quality of the products. In an assessment of the possible use of agricultural waste material for extracellular polysacc haride production one has to consider firstly the biopolymers which ar e currently available and also others which might advantageously be de veloped in the near future. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.