INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE ON THE PRODUCTION OF EXOPOLYSACCHARIDES BY THERMOPHILIC LACTIC-ACID BACTERIA

The influence of the incubation temperature on the exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. acidophilus and S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus was studied. After an incubation for 24 h, a correlation between the optimum growth temperature and that for obtaining maximum EPS production was observed. The exception was S. salivarius ssp. thermophilus which produced the highest amount of polymer at 30 degrees C. When increasing the time of fermentation up to 72 h, a marked reduction in the EPS synthesis was observed. These results were dependent both on the temperature tested (30, 37 and 42 degrees C) and the strain of lactic acid bacteria employed. Viscosity measurements at 72 h gave aleatory results.