Exopolysaccharide (EPS) production from LAB isolates was
tested according to the method described by Van Geel-Schutten,
Flesch, ten Brink, Smith, and Dijkhuizen (1998), with modifications.
Briefly, LAB cultures were grown in conical flasks containing
20 mL MRS broth supplemented with 2% (w/v) glucose at 37 C for 3
days. Bacterial cells were removed by centrifugation at 6000 g for
20 min, and two volumes of 95% (v/v) cold ethanol (Merck) were
added to one volume of culture supernatant for EPS precipitation.
Precipitates were recovered by filtration under vacuum and dried at
60 C. Their weight was measured to determine the amount of EPS
produced.