Characterization of a renewable extracellular polysaccharide from defatted microalgae Dunaliella tertiolecta.

Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) was isolated from defatted micro-algae Dunaliela tertiolecta and defined as linear (1→4)-α-D-glucan based on monosaccharide composition, enzymatic and spectroscopic analyses. Optimization and characterization of acidic and enzymatic hydrolyses of EPS have been performed for its potential use as a renewable biorefinery material. The hydrolytic methods were improved to assess the effect of substrate specificity, reaction time, pH, ionic strength and temperature on efficiency of glucose production.