Lactobacillus exopolysaccharide:gene clusters for synthesis and structure-activity relationship

Abstract:

Intestinal microflora homeostasis plays a crucial role in maintaining human health. As a guard of the natural intestinal microflora, probiotics improve the microecological balance in the host. Lactobacillus is a representative of intestinal probiotics. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by Lactobacillus can optimize the intestinal microecology by promoting the growth of other probiotics in the intestine. Moreover, EPS is praised for anti-tumor, antioxidant, cholesterol-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, and immunity-enhancing activities. This article reviews the research progress in the genetics, biological activities, structure-activity relationship of Lactobacillus EPS in recent years.