Chemical modification of bacterial exopolysaccharides: Antioxidant properties and health potentials
Irshad Ahmad Shah, Digambar Kavitake, Swati Tiwari, Palanisamy Bruntha Devi, G. Bhanuprakash Reddy, Krishna Kumar Jaiswal, Amit K. Jaiswal, Prathapkumar Halady Shetty
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a burgeoning interest in the utilization of microbial exopolysaccharides (EPS) because of the added advantage of their renewable, biocompatible, and biodegradable nature in addition to intended applications. The endowed properties of bacterial EPS make them valuable candidates for a wide array of industrial applications. Modification of native EPS is known to enhance various physico-chemical and functional properties. Various modifications such as physical, chemical, biological, and enzymatic modifications were practiced improving the bioactivity of EPS. This paper comprehensively aims to review the most recent chemical modification techniques employed to modify the physico-chemical and functional changes of bacterial EPS in comparison with the unmodified forms. Chemical modification entails strategic alterations to the structure and properties of EPS through various synthetic and semi-synthetic methodologies. Emphasis is given to the antioxidant potential and functional role of these EPS derivatives in human health. Antioxidant properties reveal a significant augmentation in activity compared to their native counterparts. Such enhancement holds a strong promise for potential benefits and therapeutic applications. Chemical derivatives of EPS with overwhelming functional benefits could surely encourage EPS application, particularly as potential hydrocolloids in industrial and biomedical contexts. • The article reviews chemical modifications, like sulfation and acetylation, to enhance EPS properties. • Modified EPS have higher antioxidant properties, boosting scavenging and therapeutic benefits. • Highlights health benefits of modified EPS as antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and prebiotic. • EPS modifications promise to treat oxidative stress, cancer, cardiovascular issues, and inflammation. • Enhanced antioxidant properties make modified EPS valuable for various therapeutic applications.