Optimization of process parameters for exopolysaccharide production by submerge fermentation using Bacillus licheniformis KP062r

The increased demand for natural polymers has spurred interest in microbial exopolysaccharide (EPS) production for various industrial applications, and as EPS production is influenced by medium composition and environmental conditions, the study of these factors has become a crucial focus in recent years. This study focused on screening, production, and optimization of process parameters to achieve a high EPS yield. Industrial effluent samples were collected from Valsad, Vapi, Daman, Silvassa and Surat region. Total 100 Bacteria were isolated from which 58 were screened positive in primary screening and 34 were screened positive in secondary screening. Maximum EPS producing strain was subjected to optimization of various process parameters such as incubation temperature, incubation time, medium pH, carbon source and its concentration, nitrogen source and its concentration. Maximum EPS 3.4 g/L was produced by bacterial strain N-95 and 16s rRNA sequencing of these bacteria show 98.89% similarity with Bacillus licheniformis strain KP062r. Optimum EPS production was achieved at temperature 300C, pH 7, sucrose as a carbon source at 3% concentration, urea as nitrogen source at 0.075% concentration with inoculum concentration 2.5%. Through process optimization, EPS production increased from 3.4 g/L to 7.1 g/L, reflecting a 2.08-fold enhancement compared to previous conditions. This demonstrates that changes in environmental factors have significant effect on EPS production.