Screening of Exopolysaccharide-Producing <i>Lactobacillus</i> and <i>Bifidobacterium</i> Strains Isolated from the Human Intestinal Microbiota

Abstract

Using phenotypic approaches, we have detected that 17% of human intestinal Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains could be exopolysaccharide (EPS) producers. However, PCR techniques showed that only 7% harbored genes related to the synthesis of heteropolysaccharides. This is the first work to screen the human intestinal ecosystem for the detection of EPS-producing strains.