The bioemulsifier V2-7 is an exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by strain F2-7 of Halomonas eurihalina and it has the property of emulsifying a wide range of hydrocarbons i.e. n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, n-octane, xylene mineral light and heavy oils, petrol and crude oil. Characteristics of exopolysaccharide V2-7 produced in media supplemented with various hydrocarbons (n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, n-octane, xylene, mineral light oil, mineral heavy oil, petrol or crude oil) were studied. Yield production varied from 0.54 to 1.45 g L-1 according to the hydrocarbon added, in the same way chemical composition, viscosity and emulsifying activity of EPS varied with the culture conditions. Respect to chemical composition, percentage of uronic acids found in exopolymers produced in hydrocarbon media was always higher than that described for V2-7 EPS (1.32%) obtained with glucose. This large amount of uronic acid present could be useful in biodetoxification and waste water treatment. On the other hand, the highest amount of biopolymer was synthesized with mineral light oil, while the most active emulsifiers were those obtained from media added with petrol and n-octane. Furthermore, all EPS were capable of emulsifying crude oil more efficiently than the three chemical surfactants tested as control (Tween 20, Tween 80 and Triton X-100). The capacity of strain F2-7 to grow and produce bioemulsifier in presence of oil hydrocarbons together with the high emulsifying activity and low viscosity power of the biopolymers synthesized in hydrocarbons media could be considered highly beneficial for application of both bioemulsifier and producing strain in bioremediation of oil pollutants. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.