Exopolysaccharide produced by Gordonia polyisoprenivorans CCT 7137 in GYM commercial medium and sugarcane molasses alternative medium: FT-IR study and emulsifying activity

EPS Gp CCT 7137 produced by Gordonia polyisoprenivorans CCT 7137 in GYM commercial medium and sugarcane molasses alternative medium showed a carbohydrate structure composed mainly of α-anomers with presence of carboxylic and amide functional groups. The presence of carboxyl groups can be responsible for the low pH of EPS aqueous solutions, probably associated with the protein structure, acting as binding sites for cations. This characteristic is important in emulsification applications. When produced in a GYM commercial medium, EPS Gp CCT 7137 showed superior or similar emulsifying activity than commercial surfactant Triton X-100 and a better performance than EPS produced in a SM alternative medium. The results suggest the potential of EPS Gp CCT 7137 for removal of contaminating oil.