The Effect of some Variables on the Quantity of Exopolysaccharide Produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

The current study attempted to compare the production of exopolysaccharide (EPS) by a clinical isolate Klebsiella pneumoniae under different selected conditions using the colorimetric method, phenol-sulfuric acid. The results revealed that the chemically defined medium was the most efficient for the production of free bacterial exopolysaccharide. The type and concentration of carbon source were of critical role in determining the amount of the yield EPS. The elevated fructose concentration furnished the highest level while lactose promoted the lowest yield. The pH ranges between 6- 8 of the medium promote the maximum production; lower and higher than this range the production will decrease. In the batch culture vessel used in the current study, a bacterium inoculum of 3-5% (v/v) produced a valuable amount of EPS after three days of incubation