Abstract:
In recent decades, natural polymers have attracted the attention of scientific
communities due to their therapeutic potential. In particular, EPS extracted from probiotic bacteria with
varied carbohydrate compositions has many beneficial properties.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the probiotic abilities of the Enterococcus durans strain
isolated from the infant faeces samples, and their capacity to produce exopolysaccharides and
antimicrobial compounds which include bacteriocins, diacetyl, organic acid, dioxide of carbon in vitro.
Methods: Infant faeces samples were used to isolate Enterococcus durans colonies; they were
then screened using the spread plate technique on agar media (De Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe). The
extrapolysaccharide (EPS) was extracted from the culture free supernatant and assayed for its radical
scavenging activity.
Results and discussion: Enterococcus durans showed the highest production of
extrapolysaccharide and had better probiotic properties, capacity of antibacterial activity. The selected
strain had good autoaggregation characteristic and a high surface hydrophobicity that enhanced its
adhesion ability to epithelial cells.
Conclusion: Our results reveal the probiotic potential of the strain tested and a good capacity for
EPS production which showed strong bacterial anti-activity against the pathogenic strains E.coli and S.
aureus
