Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
12:02
Automated Modular High Throughput Exopolysaccharide Screening Platform Coupled with Highly Sensitive Carbohydrate Fingerprint Analysis
Published on: April 11, 2016
Potentials of exopolysaccharides from lactic Acid bacteria
Seema Patel1, Avishek Majumder, Arun Goyal
1Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati, 781 039 Assam India.
Indian Journal of Microbiology
|March 2, 2013
Summary
Lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides offer significant industrial potential but are underutilized. This review explores their applications, production challenges, and solutions for greater exploitation.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Food Science and Technology
Background:
- Microbial exopolysaccharides, particularly from lactic acid bacteria, possess significant industrial value.
- Underutilization persists due to insufficient technological knowledge and commercial production challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the diverse potentials of exopolysaccharides from lactic acid bacteria.
- To summarize recent advancements in exopolysaccharide applications.
- To address commercial production issues and propose solutions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of scientific research on lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides.
- Analysis of industrial applications and biotechnological advancements.
- Identification of challenges in large-scale production and market viability.
Main Results:
- Exopolysaccharides exhibit diverse structures and functionalities with broad industrial applications.
- Recent research highlights novel uses in food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical fields.
- Commercial production faces hurdles including yield optimization, purification, and cost-effectiveness.
Conclusions:
- Lactic acid bacteria exopolysaccharides represent a valuable, yet largely untapped, resource.
- Technological advancements are crucial for overcoming production limitations and realizing full industrial potential.
- Further research and development are needed to facilitate commercialization and widespread application.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Production of Organic Acids
Lactic acid, an important organic acid extensively applied in food, pharmaceutical, and biodegradable polymer industries, is primarily produced via microbial fermentation. This method is favored over chemical synthesis due to its environmental sustainability and capacity for enantiomerically pure product formation. Among various microbial processes, the fermentation of starch-based substrates stands out due to the abundance and renewability of raw materials like corn and potatoes.Hydrolysis of...
01:27Microbes in the Production of Fermented Foods
Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and molds are instrumental in fermenting plant-based foods to enhance preservation and ensure year-round availability. These microbial processes convert plant carbohydrates into organic acids and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and contribute to the sensory qualities of the final product.In sauerkraut production, cabbage goes through a microbial succession that starts with cocci such as Leuconostoc mesenteroides. These microbes begin fermentation by...
01:29Microbes in Food Production
Microbial fermentation is central to food biotechnology, enhancing flavor, texture, preservation, and stability. Fermentative microorganisms metabolize carbohydrates into organic acids, alcohols, and other metabolites that inhibit spoilage organisms and improve digestibility while contributing distinctive sensory qualities.In baking, amylases naturally present in flour hydrolyze starch into monosaccharides such as glucose, which Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments anaerobically. Through...
01:19Formation of Lipopolysaccharides
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are crucial components of the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, serving both structural and functional roles. It contributes to membrane stability and protects bacteria from host immune responses. LPS is composed of three major regions—lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen. The biosynthesis and assembly of LPS involve a highly coordinated set of enzymatic reactions and transport mechanisms. Additionally, LPS is recognized as an endotoxin, triggering...
01:27Bioplastics
Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...
01:22Probiotics
Probiotics are live, non-pathogenic microorganisms that confer health benefits by modulating the gut microbiota. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex microbial ecosystem, and the balance of this microbiota is crucial for digestive and systemic health. Among the most extensively studied and utilized probiotics are species formerly classified within the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These organisms not only naturally colonize the human gut but are also consumed through...