From Antarctic Seas to Biotechnological Frontiers: Investigating the Structural and Functional Properties of Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020 Capsular Polysaccharide

Biosurfactants are surface-active biomolecules produced by microorganisms, valued for their specificity, low toxicity, and ease of preparation, making them attractive for various applications.[1] The Antarctic bacterium Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020, an aerobic γ-proteobacterium isolated from coastal seawater [2], has shown significant potential in this field. This marine bacterium produces CATASAN, a capsular polysaccharide-protein complex with notable antibiofilm and emulsifying properties. [2,3] The aim of this study is to characterise the structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020, whose antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis has already been demonstrated. This nosocomial pathogen is known for its ability to form biofilms, leading to persistent infections associated with medical devices.[3] The isolated polysaccharide not only reduced biofilm formation but also facilitated the detachment of preformed biofilms. Additionally, the polymer exhibited excellent emulsifying activity, functional across a range of pH levels and temperatures, indicating its potential for various biotechnological applications. [1,2] Preliminary analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed the presence of galactosamine as main component. In depth structural elucidation will be conducted using 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This study highlights the multifaceted biotechnological potential of Psychrobacter sp. TAE2020 for the development of novel anti-adhesive and emulsifying agents. [2,3]