actobacillus sanfranciscensis is commonly isolated from fermenting type I sour dough and it was recently shown that some strains of this species produce exopolysaccharides (EPS). In this study we investigated the prebiotic properties of two of these EPS and, in addition,of the carbohydrates levan, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide using batch fermentation. The bacterial enrichment cultures were monitored and characterised by applying the DGGE of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA fragments. The effect of EPS on the population shifts in the intestinal flora was further investigated using bacteriological cu