Alcaligenes latus B-16 produces two extracellular biopolymers. One is a high molecular weight (5 x 10(9)) acid-polysaccharide which contains uronic acid and is a bioabsorbent. It also has other interesting characteristics. For example, its rheological analysis revealed that it pseudoplastic and has a higher apparent viscosity than xanthan gum at more than twice the concentration. Its apparent viscosity is constant in the temperature range of 5 degrees C to 80 degrees C, and it is stable during storage. Moreover, it showed the excellent advantage of good water retention capacity for paper making and super water retention capacity through sand even at 70 degrees C.