Structural analysis and biomedical applications of dextran produced by a new isolate Pediococcus pentosaceus screened from biodiversity hot spot Assam

Dextran produced by a natural isolate of Pediococcus pentosaceus, screened from Assam, in the Northeastern region of India, was estimated, purified, structure characterised and functionality analysed. The dextran concentration in the cell free supernatant of the isolate P. pentosaceus was 10.2 mg/ml. FT-IR analysis revealed the hydroxyl and carboxyl functional groups present in the dextran. 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral data revealed that the dextran has a linear backbone of α-(1 → 6) linked d-glucose residues. The decrease in viscosity of dextran solution with the increase in shear rate, threw light on its typical non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour. The cytotoxicity tests on human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell line was studied which showed the dextran is non-toxic and biocompatible, rendering it safe for drug delivery, tissue engineering and various other biomedical applications.