Production and characterization of a novel exopolysaccharide produced by Pediococcus acidilactici BCB1H isolated from traditional Chinese sauerkraut

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been widely studied, but there has been a smaller amount of research focused on EPSs produced by Pediococcus acidilactici, an important LAB species commonly used in the food and biotechnology industries. In this study, production of the EPS BCB1H by P. acidilactici under different fermentation conditions was investigated, and kinetic models of bacterial growth, substrate consumption, and EPS synthesis were established. The strain BCB1H was shown to produce the EPS (291.6 mg/L) with a relatively low molecular weight (30.8-17.0 kDa). The EPS exhibited an irregular shape and smooth surface distributed with pores. Further structural characterization of the EPS showed that it is a homopolysaccharide consisting of mannose with a branched heptasaccharide repeating unit, which has not been previously reported. Therefore, the present study demonstrates a novel EPS produced by P. acidilactici BCB1H with significant potential for application in functional foods.