INFLUENCE OF EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE ON THE GROWTH OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA

The highest production of exopolysaccharides (EPSs) by Lactobacillus buchneri GM3701 and Lb. plantarum RB-3 was 216 and 79.0 mg/L, when incubated in 10% glucose media at 25°C for 6 d and 5% glucose media at 25°C for 4 d, respectively. The EPSs consisted of mainly glucose. Bacterial growth in the media supplemented with the EPSs was investigated using various bacteria, including Lactobacillus, Staphylococcus and Escherichia strains. The EPS enhanced the growth of Lb. farciminis HM2001. This result suggests that the growth of some lactic acid bacteria can be enhanced by the supplementation with an EPS produced by Lactobacillus strains.