Exopolysaccharide Producing Lactic Acid Bacterium from Traditional Lactic Fermented Preparations: Screening, Biosynthesis Dynamics, Compositional Analysis of Exopolysaccharide and Evaluation of its Probiotic Potential.

L.plantarum MCC2034, a Takrarista (Ayurvedic preparation) isolate, was selected for the present study on the basis of
the screening trials, which indicated its capability for stable and enhanced production of EPS. The yield of the EPS
produced by L.plantarum MCC2034 in mod-MRS medium was 1,059 mg/L. In addition, the kinetics of growth and
biosynthesis of EPS in mod-MRS medium were evaluated. The results indicated that, L.plantarum MCC2034 has
specific growth rate (μ) of 0.217 h-1. The growth yield coefficient (YX/S) was 0.019 ± 0.006 g of biomass g-1 sucrose. The
product yield coefficients, YP/S and YP/X, were 0.026 ± 0.005 g of EPS g-1 sucrose and 0.026 ± 0.005 g of EPS g-1
biomass, respectively. The compositional analysis of EPS indicated that it is a heteropolysaccharide. The FTIR analysis
revealed the presence of key functional groups viz. –OH group, and C-H group at 3301 and 2498 wave cm -1
respectively, indicating the chemical nature of the EPS. The effects of low pH and bile salts on the viability of the
selected strain were studied. The results indicated that L.plantarum MCC2034, is capable of withstanding the adverse
conditions encountered during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, L.plantarum MCC2034, a novel
strain of LAB isolated from traditional Indian fermented preparation, is capable of producing EPS and also a potent
probiotic bacterium. L.plantarum MCC2034, a promising EPS producing LAB has demonstrated good potential as
probiotic and could open up new avenues in the management of gastrointestinal health, besides contributing to
improved understanding of the active ingredients involved in the traditional Ayurvedic preparation.