Table 2.

EPSs with potential applications and some disadvantages.

EPS	Main Applications and Properties	Disadvantages
Alginate	Hydrogel formation and encapsulating agent Particle formation Wound healing	Fibers processing Mechanical properties
Dextran	Blood viscosity reduction Coating agent Easy surface modification due to–OH groups	Mainly in blends Surface modification is required Mechanical properties
Xanthan gum	Stabilize particles Cosmetics Increase viscosity and water solubility Hydrogel film formation	Fibers and aerogels not common Mechanical properties
Gellan	Tissue engineering and bone regeneration Gel formation and high temperature stability	Fibers processing Degree of acetylation changes its properties Mechanical properties
Curdlan	Tumor inhibition Gel formation	Insoluble in water (soluble in alkaline solutions) Mechanical properties
Levan	Encapsulation agent Cosmetics GLUT5 interaction Nanoparticle self-assembly phenomenon Increase cell adhesion Coating agent	Gel formation difficult Not increase in viscosity Mechanical properties
Hyaluronic acid	Cosmetics Tissue engineering and bone regeneration Ocular drug delivery Cancer diagnosis (CD44 interaction) Skin moisturizer	Obtained from Streptoccocus Surface modification is recommended for gel forming Mechanical properties
Pullulan	Liver drug delivery Fibers Coating agent Film properties Nanogels Increase water solubility	Aerogels not common Not a significant increase in cell adhesion for bone engineering Mechanical properties
Carrageenans	Carrageenan derivatives with some biological properties of interest Drug delivery by different gelation processes Increase water solubility and gel formation (depending on the carrageenan type)	Obtained from macroalgae Toxicity not clear Properties depending on the carrageenan type Mechanical properties