The present invention relates to a heteropolysaccharide (HP) characterized in that it can be obtained by fermentation of a medium comprising at least one strain of Pseudomonas sp I-2054 (or DSM 12295), one of the recombinants thereof or the mutants thereof and a source of carbon which can be assimilated by said strain, one of the recombinants thereof or one of the mutants thereof. The invention also relates to a method for the production and use of said heteropolysaccharide as a thickening agent and/or gelling agent.