Thermophiles are the microorganisms which thrive under extreme conditions such as high temperature, making them significant for scientific interest. This study provides information based on isolation of thermophilic strain from Surajkund and Ramkund, hot spring of Jharkhand at 50, 60 and 70 °C. Two of the best isolates were used for the extraction of exopolysaccharides. Additionally, the lyophilized product obtained was further analyzed for protein and total sugar estimation. The FTIR analysis revealed the presence of different functional groups such as hydroxyl, C-H stretching, vibration of aliphatic CH2 and glycosidic linkage, thus proving the product obtained from bacteria was an exopolysaccharides The FESEM analysis of exopolysaccharides show varying surface morphology that is from porous to globular structure. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, the isolates from Surajkund (ON795919) and Ramkund (ON795916) were different strains of Bacillus licheniformis. This is the first report on exopolysaccharide secreting thermophilic strain from these hot springs.
Keywords: Exopolysaccharides (EPSs); FTIR; Surajkund hot spring; mucoid colonies; string/ropy test; thermophilic bacteria.