Xanthan gum is a microbial exopolysaccharide produced
by the gram-negative bacterium Xanthomonas campestris by
fermenting glucose, sucrose, or other carbohydrate sources.
This biopolymer is applied in the food, cosmetic, pharma-
ceutical, and petrochemical industries and in other sectors
as a thickening agent, stabilizer, or emulsifier, and combined
with other gums it can act as a gelling agent. Its primary
structure is composed of repeating units of pentasaccharides
consisting of two glucose, two mannose, and one glucuronic
acid residues (Figure 1) [1–5].
Commercially, the hydrocolloid is produced by fermen-
tation using bacterial Xanthomonas campestris and the global
xanthan market has progressively increased, at an annual rate
of 5–10% [6].
The carbohydrate source used in the commercial pro-
duction of xanthan gum is the glucose obtained from corn
starch, although sucrose has also been extensively used [1, 2,
7, 8]. The selection of new strains and alternative fermentable
substrates, which allow for the production of high yields
of high viscosity xanthan gums, has been reported [9–12].
These xanthans may allow one to achieve the desirable sample
texture, viscosity, and/or stability at lower concentrations and
thus with less color interference and lower end product costs.
Mayer et al. [13] studied the specifications of xanthan gum in
the exploration of oil and concluded that low concentrations
(0.48% m/v) showed good results. High viscosity xanthan
gum has been reported for use in applications such as flavor
retention and as immobilization agents.
Statistics from the Brazilian Association of Shrimp Farm-
ers have shown that between 1998 and 2005 the Brazilian
shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) production increased from 7
thousand to 65 thousand tons/year. This elevated production
of shrimp has generated large amounts of solid waste, since
the head and shell correspond to 40% of the total weight and