Effects of N-starvation and C-source on Bradyrhizobium japonicum exopolysaccharide production and composition, and bacterial infectivity to soybean roots

The exopolysaccharide (EPS) is an extracellular molecule that in Bradyrhizobium japonicum affects bacterial efficiency to nodulate soybean. Culture conditions such as N availability, type of C-source, or culture age can modify the amount and composition of EPS. To better understand the relationship among these conditions for EPS production, we analyzed their influence on EPS in B. japonicum USDA 110 and its derived mutant ΔP22. This mutant has a deletion including the 3′ region of exoP, exoT, and the 5′ region of exoB, and produces a shorter EPS devoid of galactose. The studies were carried out in minimal media with the N-source at starving or sufficient levels, and mannitol or malate as the only C-source. Under N-starvation there was a net EPS accumulation, the levels being similar in the wild type and the mutant with malate as the C-source. By contrast, the amount of EPS diminished in N-sufficient conditions, being poyhydroxybutyrate accumulated with culture age. Hexoses composition was the same in both N-situations, either with mannitol or malate as the only C-source, in contrast to previous observations made with different strains. This result suggests that the change in EPS composition in response to the environment is not general in B. japonicum. The wild type EPS composition was 1 glucose:0.5 galactose:0.5 galacturonic acid:0.17 mannose. In ΔP22 the EPS had no galactose but had galacturonic acid, thus indicating that it was not produced from oxidation of UDP-galactose. Infectivity was lower in ΔP22 than in USDA 110. When the mutant infectivity was compared between N-starved or N-sufficient cultures, the N-starved were not less infective, despite the fact that the amounts of altered EPS produced by this mutant under N-starvation were higher than in N-sufficiency. Since this altered EPS does not bind soybean lectin, the interaction of EPS with this protein was not involved in increasing ΔP22 infectivity under N-starvation.     

Influence of nutrient media on the chemical composition of the exopolysaccharide from mucoid and non-mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Two mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and their non-mucoid revertants isolated from two different clinical origins (cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis) were grown in various chemically defined media. The extracted exopolysaccharide was characterized by gas-liquid chromatography and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The exopolysaccharide was always heterogeneous, with an alginate fraction and a neutral fraction essentially composed of glucose, galactose, rhamnose and hexosamines. The alginate composition (mannuronate/guluronate ratio and O-acetylation degree) changed according to the carbon source in nutrient media and whether the strains tested were responding differently to these environmental stimuli. In all cases, the best carbon source for the alginate production was glycerol: the two cystic fibrosis strains produced a predominantly O-acetylated alginate whereas only the mucoid bronchiectasis strain produced a polymannuronate exopolysaccharide.     

Structural studies of water-soluble polysaccharides of an edible mushroom, Termitomyces eurhizus. A reinvestigation

The structure of two polysaccharides isolated from the hot aqueous extract of fruiting bodies of the mushroom, Termitomyces eurhizus, have been reinvestigated. These consist of two homogeneous fractions PS-I and PS-II. PS-I contains only D-glucose as the monosaccharide constituent. From methylation analysis and periodate oxidation studies, followed by GLC-MS analysis the linkages, the sugar units in PS-I were identified as (1-->3)-D-Glcp and (1-->6)-D-Glcp. PS-II contains D-glucose, and the mode of linkage of d-glucose was identified as (1-->6)-D-Glcp. Finally, the following possible structures of the polysaccharides were assigned using 1H, 2D-COSY, TOCSY, NOESY and 13C NMR spectral analysis: [carbohydrate structure: see text].     

Correlation of activities of the enzymes alpha-phosphoglucomutase, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase with exopolysaccharide biosynthesis by Streptococcus thermophilus LY03

The effects of different carbohydrates or mixtures of carbohydrates as substrates on bacterial growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production were studied for the yoghurt starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus LY03. This strain produces two heteropolysaccharides with the same monomeric composition (galactose and glucose in the ratio 4:1) but with different molecular masses. Lactose and glucose were fermented by S. thermophilus LY03 only when they were used as sole energy and carbohydrate sources. Fructose was also fermented when it was applied in combination with lactose or glucose. Both the amount of EPS produced and the carbohydrate source consumption rates were clearly influenced by the type of energy and carbohydrate source used, while the EPS monomeric composition remained constant (galactose-glucose, 4:1) under all circumstances. A combination of lactose and glucose resulted in the largest amounts of EPS. Measurements of the activities of enzymes involved in EPS biosynthesis, and of those involved in sugar nucleotide biosynthesis and the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, demonstrated that the levels of activity of alpha-phosphoglucomutase, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase are highly correlated with the amount of EPS produced. Furthermore, a weaker relationship or no relationship between the amounts of EPS and the enzymes involved in either the rhamnose nucleotide synthetic branch of the EPS biosynthesis or the pathway leading to glycolysis was observed for S. thermophilus LY03.     

Exopolysaccharides from Burkholderia cenocepacia inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis and scavenge reactive oxygen species

Bacteria belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex are important opportunistic pathogens in compromised hosts, particularly patients with cystic fibrosis or chronic granulomatous disease. Isolates of B. cepacia complex may produce large amounts of exopolysaccharides (EPS) that endow the bacteria with a mucoid phenotype and appear to facilitate bacterial persistence during infection. We showed that EPS from a clinical B. cenocepacia isolate interfered with the function of human neutrophils in vitro; it inhibited chemotaxis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), both essential components of innate neutrophil-mediated host defenses. These inhibitory effects were not due to cytotoxicity or interference with intracellular calcium signaling. EPS also inhibited enzymatic generation of ROS in cell-free systems, indicating that it scavenges these bactericidal products. B. cenocepacia EPS is structurally distinct from Pseudomonas aeruginosa alginate, yet they share the capacity to scavenge ROS and inhibit chemotaxis. These properties could explain why the two bacterial species resist clearance from the infected cystic fibrosis lung.     

Extracellular polysaccharides produced by cooling water tower biofilm bacteria and their possible degradation

The extracellular polymers (EPS) of biofilm bacteria that can cause heat and mass transfer problems in cooling water towers in the petrochemical industry were investigated. In addition, these microorganisms were screened for their ability to grow and degrade their own EPS and the EPS of other species. Twelve bacteria producing the most EPS were isolated from cooling water towers and characterized biochemically by classic and commercial systems. These were species of Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, Aeromonas, Pasteurella, Pantoea, Alcaligenes and Sphingomonas. EPS of these species were obtained by propan-2-ol precipitation and centrifugation from bacterial cultures in media enriched with glucose, sucrose or galactose. EPS yields were of 1.68-4.95 g l(-1). These EPS materials were characterized for total sugar and protein contents. Their total sugar content ranged from 24 to 56% (g sugar g(-1) EPS), and their total protein content ranged from 10 to 28% (g protein g(-1) EPS). The monosaccharide compositions of EPS were determined by HPLC. Generally, these compositions were enriched in galactose and glucose, with lesser amounts of mannose, rhamnose, fructose and arabinose. All bacteria were investigated in terms of EPS degradation. Eight of the bacteria were able to utilize EPS from Burkholderia cepacia, seven of the bacteria were able to utilize EPS from Pseudomonas sp. and Sphingomonas paucimobilis. The greatest viscosity reduction of B. cepacia was obtained with Pseudomonas sp. The results show that the bacteria in this study are able to degrade EPS from biofilms in cooling towers.     

Factors affecting exocellular polysaccharide production by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus grown in a chemically defined medium

We developed a chemically defined medium (CDM) containing lactose or glucose as the carbon source that supports growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production of two strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. The factors found to affect EPS production in this medium were oxygen, pH, temperature, and medium constituents, such as orotic acid and the carbon source. EPS production was greatest during the stationary phase. Composition analysis of EPS isolated at different growth phases and produced under different fermentation conditions (varying carbon source or pH) revealed that the component sugars were the same. The EPS from strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 1187 contained galactose and glucose, and that of strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 416 contained galactose, glucose, and rhamnose. However, the relative proportions of the individual monosaccharides differed, suggesting that repeating unit structures can vary according to specific medium alterations. Under pH-controlled fermentation conditions, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains produced as much EPS in the CDM as in milk. Furthermore, the relative proportions of individual monosaccharides of EPS produced in pH-controlled CDM or in milk were very similar. The CDM we developed may be a useful model and an alternative to milk in studies of EPS production.     

Correlation of Activities of the Enzymes α-Phosphoglucomutase, UDP-Galactose 4-Epimerase, and UDP-Glucose Pyrophosphorylase with Exopolysaccharide Biosynthesis by Streptococcus thermophilus LY03

The effects of different carbohydrates or mixtures of carbohydrates as substrates on bacterial growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production were studied for the yoghurt starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus LY03. This strain produces two heteropolysaccharides with the same monomeric composition (galactose and glucose in the ratio 4:1) but with different molecular masses. Lactose and glucose were fermented by S. thermophilus LY03 only when they were used as sole energy and carbohydrate sources. Fructose was also fermented when it was applied in combination with lactose or glucose. Both the amount of EPS produced and the carbohydrate source consumption rates were clearly influenced by the type of energy and carbohydrate source used, while the EPS monomeric composition remained constant (galactose-glucose, 4:1) under all circumstances. A combination of lactose and glucose resulted in the largest amounts of EPS. Measurements of the activities of enzymes involved in EPS biosynthesis, and of those involved in sugar nucleotide biosynthesis and the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway, demonstrated that the levels of activity of α-phosphoglucomutase, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, and UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase are highly correlated with the amount of EPS produced. Furthermore, a weaker relationship or no relationship between the amounts of EPS and the enzymes involved in either the rhamnose nucleotide synthetic branch of the EPS biosynthesis or the pathway leading to glycolysis was observed for S. thermophilus LY03.     

Optimization, purification, characterization and antioxidant activity of an extracellular polysaccharide produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa SQR-21

The optimization, purification and characterization of an extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) from a bacterium Paenibacillus polymyxa SQR-21 (SQR-21) were investigated. The results showed that SQR-21 produced one kind of EPS having molecular weight of 8.96 × 10⁵ Da. The EPS was comprised of mannose, galactose and glucose in a ratio of 1.23:1.14:1. The ratio of monosaccharides and glucuronic acid was 7.5:1. The preferable culture conditions for EPS production were pH 6.5, temperature 30 °C for 96 h with yeast extract and galactose as best N and C sources, respectively. The maximum EPS production (3.44 g L⁻¹) was achieved with galactose 48.5 g L⁻¹, Fe³⁺ 242 μM and Ca²⁺ 441 μM. In addition, the EPS showed good superoxide scavenging, flocculating and metal chelating activities while moderate inhibition of lipid peroxidation and reducing activities were determined. These results showed the great potential of EPS produced by SQR-21 to be used in industry in place of synthetic compounds.     

Characterization of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Plant-Associated Fluorescent Pseudomonads

A total of 214 strains of plant-associated fluorescent pseudomonads were screened for the ability to produce the acidic exopolysaccharide (EPS) alginate on various solid media. The fluorescent pseudomonads studied were saprophytic, saprophytic with known biocontrol potential, or plant pathogenic. Approximately 10% of these strains exhibited mucoid growth under the conditions used. The EPSs produced by 20 strains were isolated, purified, and characterized. Of the 20 strains examined, 6 produced acetylated alginate as an acidic EPS. These strains included a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain reported to cause a dry rot of onion, a strain of P. viridiflava with soft-rotting ability, and four strains of P. fluorescens. However, 12 strains of P. fluorescens produced a novel acidic EPS (marginalan) composed of glucose and galactose (1:1 molar ratio) substituted with pyruvate and succinate. Three of these strains were soft-rotting agents. Two additional soft-rotting strains of P. fluorescens produced a third acidic novel EPS composed of rhamnose, mannose, and glucose (1:1:1 molar ratio) substituted with pyruvate and acetate. When sucrose was present as the primary carbon source, certain strains produced the neutral polymer levan (a fructan) rather than an acidic EPS. Levan was produced by most strains capable of synthesizing alginate or the novel acidic EPS containing rhamnose, mannose, and glucose but not by strains capable of marginalan production. It is now evident that the group of bacteria belonging to the fluorescent pseudomonads is capable of elaborating a diverse array of acidic EPSs rather than solely alginate.     

Glucans from alkaline extract of a hybrid mushroom (backcross mating between PfloVv12 and Volvariella volvacea): structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing and antioxidant properties

Two different glucans (water-soluble PS-I, water-insoluble PS-II) were isolated from the alkaline extract of the fruit bodies of hybrid mushroom. PS-I was found to consist of only (1→6)-linked β-D-glucopyranose. PS-II was composed of terminal, (1→3,4)-linked, and (1→3)-linked β-D-glucopyranosyl moieties in a molar ratio of nearly 1:1:1. PS-I showed macrophages, splenocytes, and thymocytes activation as well as antioxidant property. On the basis of sugar analysis, methylation analysis, and NMR studies ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of these glucans were established as:     

Exopolysaccharides produced by a clinical strain of Burkholderia cepacia isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient

Burkholderia cepacia is an opportunistic pathogen involved in pulmonary infections related to cystic fibrosis. A clinical strain, BTS13, was isolated and the production of exopolysaccharides was tested growing the bacteria on two different media, one of which was rich in mannitol as carbon source. The primary structure of the polysaccharides was determined using mostly mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. On both media an exopolysaccharide having the following repeating unit was produced: -->5)-beta-Kdop-(2-->3)-beta-D-Galp2Ac-(1-->4)-alpha-D-Galp-(1-->3)-beta-D-Galp-(1--> This polysaccharide has already been described as the biosynthetic product of another Burkholderia species, B. pseudomallei, the microbial agent causing melioidosis. In addition to this, when grown on the mannitol-rich medium, B. cepacia strain BTS13 produced another polysaccharide that was established to be levan: -->6)-beta-D-Fruf-(2-->. The content of levan was about 20% (w/w) of the total amount of polymers. The ability of B. cepacia to produce these two exopolysaccharides opens new perspectives in the investigation of the role of polysaccharides in lung infections.     

Factors Affecting Exocellular Polysaccharide Production by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus Grown in a Chemically Defined Medium

We developed a chemically defined medium (CDM) containing lactose or glucose as the carbon source that supports growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production of two strains of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus. The factors found to affect EPS production in this medium were oxygen, pH, temperature, and medium constituents, such as orotic acid and the carbon source. EPS production was greatest during the stationary phase. Composition analysis of EPS isolated at different growth phases and produced under different fermentation conditions (varying carbon source or pH) revealed that the component sugars were the same. The EPS from strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 1187 contained galactose and glucose, and that of strain L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus CNRZ 416 contained galactose, glucose, and rhamnose. However, the relative proportions of the individual monosaccharides differed, suggesting that repeating unit structures can vary according to specific medium alterations. Under pH-controlled fermentation conditions, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus strains produced as much EPS in the CDM as in milk. Furthermore, the relative proportions of individual monosaccharides of EPS produced in pH-controlled CDM or in milk were very similar. The CDM we developed may be a useful model and an alternative to milk in studies of EPS production.     

Growth and exopolysaccharide production by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 in an adenine-supplemented chemically defined medium

AIMS: To analyse the exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by Lactobacillus helveticus ATCC 15807 in a chemically defined medium (CDM) and the effect of nutrients and stress culture conditions on cell growth and EPS formation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cultures were conducted in CDM: (i) containing essential and nonessential bases and vitamins; (ii) without nonessential bases and vitamins [Simplified CDM (SCDM)]; (iii) SCDM supplemented individually with vitamins and bases. The influence of carbohydrates, pH and osmotic culture conditions on growth and polymer formation was analysed. Adenine and lactose stimulated both growth and EPS production. Constant pH fermentations (4.5 and 6.2) did not improve EPS synthesis while NaCl and glycerol were detrimental for growth and polymer formation. In all media the EPS monomer composition was glucose and galactose (2.5 : 1). CONCLUSIONS: A SCDM containing adenine and lactose was optimal for cell growth and EPS formation by Lact. helveticus ATCC 15807. Controlled pH (6.2 and 4.5) and osmotic stress culture conditions did not improve polymer production. The EPS characteristics were identical in all media. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work provides a better knowledge on EPS synthesis by Lact. helveticus. A CDM to perform regulation studies on EPS production by Lact. helveticus species is now available.     

A test of the binary chloroplast membrane hypothesis by using a nonpenetrating chemical probe,p-(diazonium)-benzenesulfonic acid

Summary Spinach chloroplasts were exposed to³⁵S-labeledp-(diazonium)-benzenesulfonic acid (DABS), a water soluble compound which does not penetrate lipophilie regions of membranes, and which is highly reactive toward amino acid functionagroups such as -amino, sulfhydryl, histidine, and tyrosine groups. Amino groups inl lipids can also form similar, stable covalent bonds by diazo coupling. Both chloroplast lipids and proteins were labeled with DABS, the total binding being about 1 DABS per 10 chlorophylls, depending on the reaction conditions.After diazo coupling and subsequent digitonin fractionation into photosystems I and II enriched fractions, it was observed that PS-I was more highly labeled than PS-III usually by a factor of 10 to 24 times (on a per chlorophyll basis). After digitonin isolation, however, the PS-II portion bound an amount of DABS similar to the PS-I binding, We interpret these data as consistent with the binary membrane hypothesis (Arntzen. Dilley and Crane (1969),J. Cell Biol. 43:16), which visualizes PS-I on the externa, half of a 90 Å grana membrane, and PS-II occurring on the interior half of thel membrane. The alternative explanation that PS-II and PS-I are arranged as a mosaic, and that the low DABS binding in PS-II is caused by burial of the diazo reactive groups in the interior of the proteins (and only exposed through the denaturing effect of digitonin) is not directly ruled out. However, this alternative is not consistent with the facts that: (a) most of the membrane proteins in PS-I and PS-II are identical in electrophoretic properties and therefore probably have similar overall structures; and (b) digitonin does not lead to appreciable denaturation of proteins, evidenced by the retention of PS-II electron transport activity.     

Exopolysaccharide production by a new Halomonas strain CRSS isolated from saline lake Cape Russell in Antarctica growing on complex and defined media

A haloalkalophilic Halomonas strain CRSS, isolated from salt sediments in Antarctica, produced exocellular polysaccharides (EPS) up to 2.9 g g(-1) dry cells. Acetate was the most efficient carbon source for EPS production. The composition of media strongly affected the nature of the polymers; a mannan and a xylo-mannan, were obtained when cells were grown on complex media. Acetate was the most efficient carbon source for EPS production and in presence of this substrate, a new polysaccharide, a fructo-glucan, was produced. The EPS fraction was composed by glucose, fructose, glucosamine and galactosamine in relative proportions of 1:0.7:0.3:trace.     

Culture conditions determine the balance between two different exopolysaccharides produced by Lactobacillus pentosus LPS26

Lactobacillus pentosus LPS26, isolated from a natural fermentation of green olives, produces a capsular polymer constituted of two exopolysaccharides (EPS): EPS A, a high-molecular-weight (high-Mw) polysaccharide (1.9x10(6) Da) composed of glucose and rhamnose (3:1), and EPS B, a low-Mw polysaccharide (3.3x10(4) Da) composed of glucose and mannose (3:1). Fermentation experiments in a chemically semidefined medium with different carbon sources (glucose, fructose, mannitol, and lactose) showed that all of them except fructose supported EPS A production rather than EPS B production. The influence of temperature and pH was further analyzed. As the temperature dropped, increased synthesis of both EPS was detected. The control of pH especially enhanced EPS B production. With regard to this, the maximum total EPS production (514 mg liter-1) was achieved at a suboptimal growth temperature (20 degrees C) and pH 6.0. Continuous cultures showed that EPS A, synthesized mainly at low dilution rates, is clearly dependent on the growth rate, whereas EPS B synthesis was hardly affected. EPS production was also detected in supplemented skimmed milk, but no increase on the viscosity of the fermented milk was recorded. This could be linked to the high proportion of the low-Mw polysaccharide produced in these conditions in contrast to that observed in culture media. Overall, the present study shows that culture conditions have a clear impact on the type and concentration of EPS produced by strain LPS26, and consequently, these conditions should be carefully selected for optimization and application studies. Finally, it should be noted that this is, to our knowledge, the first report on EPS production by L. pentosus.     

Exopolysaccharide production by Streptococcus thermophilus SY: production and preliminary characterization of the polymer

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of yeast extract (YE) concentration, temperature and pH on growth and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production in a whey-based medium by Streptococcus thermophilus SY and to characterize the partially purified EPS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Factorial experiments and empirical model building were used to optimize fermentation conditions and the chemical composition, average molecular weight (MW) and rheological properties of aqueous dispersions of the EPS were determined. Exopolysaccharide production was growth associated and was higher (152 mg l(-1)) at pH 6.4 and 36 degrees C with 4 g l(-1) YE. High performance size exclusion chromatography of the partially purified EPS showed two peaks, with a weight average MW of 2 x 10(6) and 5 x 10(4), respectively. The EPS was a heteropolysaccharide, with a glucose : galactose : rhamnose ratio of 2 : 4.5 : 1. Its water dispersions had a pseudoplastic behaviour and showed a higher viscosity of xanthan solutions. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The fermentation conditions and some properties of an EPS produced by Strep. thermophilus, a dairy starter organism, were described.     

Production of exopolysaccharides from a thermophilic microorganism isolated from a marine hot spring in flegrean areas

A thermophilic strain isolated from sea sand at Maronti, near Sant' Angelo (Ischia), is described. The organism grows well at an optimal temperature of 60 °C at pH 7.0. The thermophilic bacterium, named strain 4004, produces an exocellular polysaccharide (EPS) in yields of 90 mg/l. The EPS fraction was produced with all substrates tested, although a higher yield was obtained with sucrose or trehalose as sole carbon source. During growth, the EPS content was proportional to the biomass. Three fractions (EPS1, EPS2, EPS3) were obtained after purification. Quantitative monosaccharide analysis of the EPSs revealed the presence of mannose:glucose:galactose in a relative ratio of 0.5:1.0:0.3 in EPS1, mannose:glucose:galactose in a relative ratio of 1.0:0.3:trace in EPS2, and galactose:mannose:glucosamine:arabinose in a relative ratio of 1.0:0.8:0.4:0.2 in EPS3. The average molecular mass of EPS3 was determined to be 1×10⁶ Da. From comparison of the chemical shift values in ¹H and ¹³C spectra, we conclude that EPS3 presents a pentasaccharide repeating unit. Electronic Publication     

UDP-galactose 4-epimerase: a key enzyme in exopolysaccharide formation by Lactobacillus casei CRL 87 in controlled pH batch cultures

AIMS: To evaluate the relationship between exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and the sugar nucleotide biosynthetic enzymes in Lactobacillus casei CRL 87 under optimum growth conditions for polymer formation: controlled pH on galactose or glucose. Studies with an EPS mutant were carried out to determine the key enzymes in EPS synthesis under the above culture conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: EPS concentration was estimated by the phenol/sulphuric acid method, while the activities of the biosynthetic enzymes were determined spectrophotometrically by measuring the formation or disappearance of NAD(P)H at 340 nm. An environmental pH of 5.0, using galactose as carbon source, markedly improved not only polymer production and yield but also, cell growth and lactic acid production. Analysis of the activities of the EPS precursor-forming enzymes revealed that polysaccharide synthesis was correlated with uridine-diphosphate (UDP)-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-galactose 4-epimerase under these growth conditions. CONCLUSIONS: EPS synthesis by Lact. casei CRL 87 was considerably improved at a controlled pH of 5.0 with galactose as carbon source, and was correlated with the activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP-galactose 4-epimerase. The results obtained with the wild-type and EPS- strains suggest that UDP-galactose 4-epimerase plays an essential role in EPS formation. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Unravelling the key enzymes involved in EPS biosynthesis under optimum culture conditions for polymer production provides important information for the design of strategies, via genetic engineering, to enhance polysaccharide formation.