Comprehensive structural characterization of water-soluble and water-insoluble homoexopolysaccharides from seven lactic acid bacteria

Several lactic acid bacteria are able to produce water-soluble and water-insoluble homoexopolysaccharides (HoEPS) from sucrose. In this study, structures of all HoEPS which were fermentatively produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum NRRL B-1121 and B-1144, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides NRRL B-1149, B-1438 and B-1118, Leuconostoc suionicum DSM 20241, and Liquorilactobacillus satsumensis DSM 16230 were systematically analyzed. Monosaccharide analysis, methylation analysis, NMR spectroscopy, size-exclusion chromatography, and different enzymatic fingerprinting methods were used to obtain detailed structural information. All strains produced water-soluble dextrans and/or levans as well as water-insoluble glucans. Levans showed different degrees of branching and high molecular weights, whereas dextrans had comparable structures and broader size distributions. Fine structures of water-soluble HoEPS were analyzed after endo-dextranase and endo-levanase hydrolysis. Water-insoluble glucans were composed of different portions of 1,3-linkages (5 to 40 %). Hydrolysis with endo-dextranase and endo-mutanase yielded further information on block sizes and varying fine structures. Overall, clear differences between HoEPS yields and structures were observed.

Detergent-stable amylase production by Paenibacillus lactis strain OPSA3 isolated from soil; optimization by response surface methodology

This study aimed to isolate thermostable, alkaliphilic, and detergent-tolerant amylase-producing bacteria. Pure isolates from environmental samples were screened on a starch-based medium (pH 11), and selected isolates were identified using cultural and molecular techniques. Product optimization studies were conducted, and secreted amylase was partially purified using 40% (w/v) saturation ammonium sulfate at 4 °C. The wash performance of concentrated amylase was analyzed. A novel isolate, Paenibacillus lactis OPSA3, was selected for further studies. The isolate produced amylase optimally when grown on banana peels and soybean extracts, which are agro-wastes. Optimization by Response surface Methodology resulted in a 2.1-fold increase in alkaliphilic amylase production. A 2.46-fold purification was achieved, with an enzyme activity yield of 79.53% and specific activity of 26.19 Umg^-1. Wash performance analysis using the amylase supplemented with boiled commercial detergent (kiln®) showed good cleaning efficiency. The amylase has the potential for application as a component of green detergent.

(1→3)-α-D-Glucan hydrolases in dental biofilm prevention and control: A review

Dental plaque is a highly diverse biofilm, which has an important function in maintenance of oral and systemic health but in some conditions becomes a cause of oral diseases. In addition to mechanical plaque removal, current methods of dental plaque control involve the use of chemical agents against biofilm pathogens, which however, given the complexity of the oral microbiome, is not sufficiently effective. Hence, there is a need for development of new anti-biofilm approaches. Polysaccharides, especially (1→3),(1→6)-α-D-glucans, which are key structural and functional constituents of the biofilm matrix, seem to be a good target for future therapeutic strategies. In this review, we have focused on (1→3)-α-glucanases, which can limit the cariogenic properties of the dental plaque extracellular polysaccharides. These enzymes are not widely known and have not been exhaustively described in literature.