A novel microorganism producing a nontoxic, non-antigenic
exopolysaccharide is taught. The exopolysaccharide has neutral sugars
migrating at the same rate as mannose, fucose, fructose and galactose,
acidic sugars migrating at the same rate as fucose and amine sugars
migrating at the same rate as glucose and fucose, and wherein the ratio
of galactose:fucose:glucose:mannose is about 1:2:3:6. The microbe and the
exopolysaccharide have uses as a biofilm in geologic applications and
have several consumer uses as food and drug polymers and use as a plasma
extender.