Hidden in the bubbling hot springs of El Medano, nestled in Chile’s central Andes, lies an unexpected treasure: a natural additive that could disrupt industries ranging from food to pharmaceuticals. A recent study published in Scientific Reports sheds light on how a specific biofilm ingredient from the bacterium Pseudomonas alcaligenes is paving the way for sustainable innovation.

This key ingredient, an exopolysaccharide (EPS), is a cluster of extracellular carbohydrate polymers produced by the thermotolerant Med1 strain of P. alcaligenes. Thriving in temperatures between 34°C and 44°C, this resilient bacterium leverages EPS to shield itself against extreme environmental challenges such as high heat, acidic pH levels, and elevated metal concentrations.

With the surge in demand for natural bioactive compounds, EPSs have captured the attention of researchers and industries alike. Unlike plant-derived polysaccharides, microbial EPSs offer unparalleled structural and functional diversity. Their properties include antiviral, antitumor, immunoregulatory, antioxidant, and emulsifying effects. They’re also highly effective at flocculation—a process that aggregates small particles in liquids—a trait valued across food, cosmetics, biomedical, and wastewater treatment industries.

From Extremophiles to Industry

The study of extremophilic bacteria, organisms that thrive in conditions uninhabitable for most life, opens doors to groundbreaking biotechnological applications. According to João Paulo Fabi, a professor in the Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition at the University of São Paulo, “We chose to study the hot springs in the central Chilean region of Maule because they are relatively unexplored in terms of biotechnological aspects of the value-added bioactive compounds produced by bacteria as part of their resistance to environmental stress.”

The multidisciplinary research team—comprising Brazilian, Chilean, American, and Iraqi scientists—focused their efforts on isolating the bacterium from a water sample, sequencing its genome, and optimizing EPS production. Results revealed that the isolated Med1 strain tolerates up to 44°C, with an optimal growth temperature of 37°C, a finding with practical implications. “Unwanted microorganisms cannot grow at this high temperature during the EPS production process,” the researchers noted.

Unlocking Industrial Potential

The second phase of the study delved into the physical and chemical characterization of the EPS, highlighting its remarkable thermal stability and structural properties. Aparna Banerjee, a professor at the Autonomous University of Chile, collaborated closely with Fabi’s lab, conducting functional analyses to assess the compound’s potential applications. Their findings were compelling.

“The study concluded that the EPS produced by P. alcaligenes Med1 has unique structural properties and thermal stability, as well as exhibiting significant antioxidant, emulsification, and flocculation activity, making it suitable for potential applications by the food and pharmaceutical industries as a natural additive,” Fabi explained.

The exclusive data obtained through genome sequencing and analytical studies not only underscore the EPS’s potential but also lays the groundwork for exploring similar compounds from other extremophilic bacteria. While additional testing and regulatory approvals are necessary before commercial use, Fabi emphasized the compound’s strong potential as a natural alternative to synthetic additives, particularly in applications requiring thermal stability and biocompatibility.

Moreover, the research offers a scalable model for optimizing EPS production and new perspectives on its bioactivity. These insights could drive the development of sustainable and eco-friendly additives across various industries, from food to cosmetics and beyond.

As global industries seek greener solutions, innovations like this EPS from the heart of Chile’s hot springs remind us that nature often holds the answers to our most complex challenges.