Functional Characterization of an Exopolysaccharide Produced by Bacillus sonorensis MJM60135 Isolated from Ganjang

The present study focused on the production, characterization, and in vitro prebiotic evaluation of an exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Bacillus sonorensis MJM60135 isolated from ganjang (fermented soy sauce). Strain MJM60135 showed the highest production (8.4 ± 0.8 g/l) of EPSs compared with other isolates that were screened for EPS production based on ropy culture morphology. Furthermore, MJM60135 was cultured in 5 L of medium and the EPS was extracted by ethanol precipitation. The emulsification activity of the EPS was higher in toluene than in o-xylene. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed the presence of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups and glycosidic linkages. The isolated EPS contained mannose and glucose, as observed by thin-layer chromatography analysis of the EPS hydrolysate. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and pathogenic E. coli K99 and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium were tested for their growth utilizing the EPS from B. sonorensis MJM60135 as the sole carbon source for its possible use as a prebiotic. All the tested LAB exhibited growth in the EPS-supplied medium compared with glucose as carbon source, whereas the pathogenic strains did not grow in the EPS-supplied medium. These findings indicate that the EPS from B. sonorensis MJM60135 has potential application in the bioremediation of hydrocarbons and could also be used as a prebiotic.