Factorial Design to Optimize Dextran Production by the Native Strain Leuconostoc mesenteroides SF3

Dextran is an extracellular bacterial polysaccharide for which industrial applications have been found in different areas. Several researchers have optimized the fermentation conditions to maximize dextran production. This study aimed to characterize the dextran of Leuconostoc mesenteroides SF3, which was isolated from the aguamiel of Agave salmiana. To maximize the yield of dextran, the effects of sucrose concentration, temperature, and incubation time were studied. The experiments were conducted using a factorial design and a response surface methodology. L. mesenteroides SF3 produced a maximum yield of dextran (23.8 g/L ± 4) after 16 h of incubation at 25 °C with 10% sucrose. The functional properties such as water absorption capacity, oil absorption capacity, and emulsion activity of this unique dextran were 361.8% ± 3.1, 212.0% ± 6.7, and 58.3% ± 0.7, respectively. These properties indicate that the dextran produced by L. mesenteroides SF3 is a high-quality polysaccharide with potential applications in the food industry, and the optimized conditions for its production could be used for the commercial production of this dextran, which have significant industrial perspectives.