Applied Microbiology

In recent years, the origin of bacterial exopolysaccharides is of great interest as agent texturing, emulsifier, stabilizer and/or gelling especially in food industry. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of the essential oils of two regional plants (Atriplex halimus L. and Haloxylon scoparium) on the production of exopolysaccharides by four probiotic strains (Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus 1and Pediococcus 2). Results indicate a significantly high rate of exopolysaccharides under optimal conditions estimated from 5.84 mg/ml, 5.21 mg/ml, 5.85 mg/ml and 5.63 mg/ml in Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus,Pediococcus 1 and Pediococcus 2 respectively. However, the addition of essential oils improves dramatically the production of EPS (16.4 mg/ml Leuconostoc, 14.22 mg/ml for Lactobacillus, 15.89 mg/ml for Pediococcus and 16.59 mg/ml for Pediococcus 2). These results open a new natural alternative way in improving EPS productions, essential compounds responsible for the adhesion of probiotic strains of interest.