A review on exopolysaccharide production by lactobacillus acidophilus and their techno-functional applications in food and pharmaceutical industry

Abstract

Bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPS) are renowned for their technical and functional applications in the food and pharmaceutical industry.EPS retrieved from Lactobacillus sp.is one of the bacterial groups that have garnered a great deal of attention by showing its unique behaviors by expressing their ability to promote health benefits. The EPS from Lactobacillus acidophilus finds application in many areas like food, pharmaceuticals, bioremediation, cosmetics, and others. As EPS produced by Lactobacilli has conferred a range of local and systemic health benefits on the host, synthesis of these metabolites through fermentation should be emphasized. An optimal and cost-effective fermentation process by understanding the parameters and conditions is crucial in optimising the EPS yields. This review gives an overview of the biosynthesis of the EPS and the factors influencing the production of the EPS. Finally, techno-functional applications in food and pharmaceutical products associated with EPS are discussed.