EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION BY LACTOBACILLUS-CASEI .1. INFLUENCE OF SALTS

The addition of organic and inorganic salts to the culture medium infl uenced the growth characteristics and the exopolysaccharide (EPS) prod uction by Lactobacillus casei. Best results were obtained with MnSO4 w hich enhanced the synthesis of EPS as well as the cell viability and t he production of lactic acid. The ropy characteristic of the cu Itu re s was on ly observed in presence of this salt. Triammonium citrate als o stimulated the EPS formation while Mg2+ and K+ salts had a positive effect on colony counts.