Isolation and Characterization of Polysaccharide-Producing Bacteria from Kefir Grains

Five polysaccharide-producing bacteria. which grew actively in a newly developed whey media, were isolated from kefir grains. About 300 to 400 mg of polysaccharide/L of broth were produced with 65 to 85% excreted into the medium. The polysaccharide had equal amounts of glucose and galactose and two, main activity peaks with molecular weights of 1.0 x 1()6 to 4.0 x 1()6.