Exopolysaccharides of lactic acid bacteria: structure and biosynthesis

The group of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) includes four genera: Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus. The most characteristic feature of this group of microorganisms is the production of lactic acid as a main product of carbohydrate metabolism. LABs are responsible for the fermentation of alimentary products and they also produce a variety of agents, among them exopolysaccharides (EPSs), which inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. In this article on the different types of EPSs produced by LABs, data concerning their structure and biosynthesis are presented.