Isolation and characterization of high exopolysaccharide-producing Weissella confusa VP30 from young children’s feces

摘要

BackgroundLactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to have a significant ability to colonize the human intestinal tract and adhere to the surface of intestinal epithelial cells. Among the various lactic acid bacteria, exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing strains are known to provide a variety of health benefits for their hosts (e.g. anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor and stress tolerant effects). Recently, EPSs and EPS-producing lactic acid cultures have gained interest within the food industry and are playing important roles as biothickeners and texturizing agents due to their hydrocolloidal nature. In this study, 156 lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from fecal samples of healthy young children were screened and evaluated for active EPS-production capability.