Production of Dextran by Leuconostoc mesenteroides Isolated from Home Made Fermented Foods

Abstract

Dextran gum has important medicinal applications. The study was aimed to produce the dextran from Leuconostoc mesenteroides isolated from home made fermented foods. Two strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM-1 and LM-2) were isolated from chilli pickle and sauerkraut by enrichment culture technique. The isolates were subjected to dextran gum production using standard sucrose medium and modified medium made with sugar cane juice and & liquid jaggery. Dextran gum produced by each isolate with different medium combinations was extracted and purified and subjected to conformity tests. The dextran produced by isolates was found to be viscous and soluble in water. The isolate LM1 showed highest yield of 3.50 g / 100ml with sugarcane juice medium. Sugarcane juice can be used as a source of sucrose which is economically affordable. However, more studies should be carried out to explore the process of dextran gum production