Evaluation of novel lactose-positive and exopolysaccharide-producing strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus for fermented foods

Abstract

A novel strain of lactic acid bacteria Pediococcus pentosaceus P 773 was isolated from spoiled beer and identified by means of 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The ability to assimilate lactose as a sole carbon source as a specific feature for this strain was detected and confirmed on dairy substrates. In the presence of sucrose containing substrates (sucrose, raffinose) this P. pentosaceus P 773 lactose-positive strain produced a complex of extracellular polysaccharides (Qp = 0.08 g/l/h) with a molecular mass about 2,000 kDa composed by glucose and fructose residues at a ratio 3:1, respectively. These exopolysaccharides were capable to stimulate the growth rate and biomass productivity of common constituent cultures of probiotic dairy starters (Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus) as well as were assimilated as a sole carbon source by these strains. The present study confirmed the presence of lactose-positive and exopolysaccharide-producing strain of P. pentosaceus in natural environment which could be used as a starter culture to impart more functional attributes to fermented food.