EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE PRODUCTION BY STREPTOCOCCUS-SALIVARIUS SSP THERMOPHILUS CULTURES .1. CONDITIONS OF PRODUCTION

An industrial strain of Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophilus, grown in a semisynthetic medium, produces EPS during the stationary phase of growth. Temperatures or sugars that decrease growth rate increase polymer synthesis. Factorial experiments showed that the nature of the sugar, temperature, and initial pH interfere with polymer production. At optimal growth rate, polysaccharide production is dependent on lactose.