Determining probiotic potential of exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacteria isolated from vegetables and traditional Indian fermented food products

Exopolysaccharide producing lactic acid bacterial (LAB) were tested in vitro to select a candidate probiotic strain by testing their tolerance to low pH and bile, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, antibiotics susceptibility pattern and antimicrobial activity. Results indicated that LAB isolates were highly sensitive against oxbile (0.3%) but could grow in the presence of sodium taurocholate (0.3%). Seven out of 9 isolates were found to be BSH positive. Two of the isolates, Lactobacillus plantarum 86 and Weissella cibaria 92 showed considerable antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The study reveals that traditional fermented products of India could be an alternative and readily available resource for LAB starter cultures with interesting functional characteristics.