Exocellular polysaccharide production byStreptococcus thermophilus

Summary Streptococcus thermophilus strains grown on skim milk produce exocellular polysaccharide, essentially composed of galactose and glucose. Small amounts of xylose, arabinose, rhamnose and mannose are identified also. A relationship exists between viscosity of the culture medium and the amount of polymer produced. However, the thickness producing trait in the strains studied is highly unstable.