Polysaccharide production by submerged fermentation

Abstract

This chapter describes the importance of the polysaccharides obtained from different natural sources as well as their natural occurrence. An overview on the different biological activities of the polysaccharides obtained from fungi, bacteria, and algae is provided. The potential of microbial organisms, especially microfungi and bacteria, as well as macromycete fungi, during production of bioactive polysaccharides at large scale is recognized. The features of the submerged fermentation technology are disclosed considering that this cultivation technique has played and continues playing a crucial role in the industrial production of different polysaccharides with diverse biological activities. Main topics related to the production of these compounds by submerged fermentation making emphasis in the production of fungal and bacterial polysaccharides are briefly described as well. Finally, some words on the significance of the research and development on production of bioactive polysaccharide are presented.