Production of exopolysaccharides from novel marine bacteria and anticancer activity against hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2)

Abstract

Abstract Background The aim of the current study based on the production and characterization of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) isolated from marine sediment of the Mediterranean and Red Seas is to study its cytotoxic activity against HepG2 cells. Results Eleven isolates have the ability to produce EPSs and also decreased the viability of HepG2 cell line in different manners. The five most promising isolates that produce high yield of EPSs and high cytotoxicity were identified by 16S RNA as Brevundimonas subvibrioides MSA1, Bacillus thuringiensis E4, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MGA2, Pseudomonas fluorescens SGA3, and Advenella Kashmirensis NRC-7. The chemical composition of the following EPSs (M1, M3, M6, M15, M19, E2, E4, E10, S5, S7, and S11) demonstrates that they are acidic sulfated heteropolysaccharides with different relative ratios of monosugars of glucose, mannose, galactose, glucouronic acid, and mannouronic acid. The average molecular weights from 1.94 × 104 to 7.95 × 105 g/mol and the number average molecular weight from 1.51 × 104 to 7.53 × 105 g/mol. FTIR spectrum of the five EPSs indicated the presence of sulfate and carboxylic groups in different percentages. Conclusions The EPSs produced from marine bacteria are very promising for treating the HepG2 cells.

Keywords

• Exopolysaccharides
• Marine bacteria
• Cytotoxicity
• Hepatocellular carcinoma cells