a polysaccharide being produced by cultivating alcaligenes latus strain b - 16 and having at least one function selected from water absorption , moisture absorption , humectant capability , thickening capability , suspension stability , emulsion stability and dispersant capability along with high biodegradability and which can be used without creating any environmental hazard such as secondary pollution , said biopolymer b - 16 consisting essentially of rhamnose , fucose , glucose , mannose and glucuronic acid which are present in a molar ratio of ::::.