title: Physico-chemical characterization of galactan exopolysaccharide produced by Weissella confusa KR780676.
abstract: Physico-chemical properties of a galactan exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by Weissella confusa KR780676 isolated from an idli batter were studied. In our previous paper, we had reported the isolation and characterization of a linear galactan (containing α-(1→6)-linked galactose units) isolated from an acidic fermented food. In this manuscript, we are reporting the physico-chemical properties viz., Colour evaluation (L* 81.79, a* 3.15, b* 15.04), flow properties (compressibility index 38.46%), syneresis, light transmittance (50.7% for 5days), pasting properties (temperature 64.6°C), texture (hardness 9.876N) and particle size (549.81dnm) for the galactan were carried out. This galactan also possessed high oil absorption capacity (5.09mL/g) with good emulsifying activity (69.4%) and emulsion stability up to 15days. Flocculating activity of 65.3-81.7% was observed with 0.2mg/mL EPS in a wide range of pH (2.0-12.0). These functional properties will make the galactan EPS a good candidate for use as thickening and gelling agent and emulsifier to form long-term emulsions in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, as well as for bio-treatment of wastewater and hydrocarbon-polluted environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore-641046, India.
authors.forename: Palanisamy Bruntha
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Devi
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India.
authors.forename: Digambar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kavitake
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Technology, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry 605014, India. Electronic address: pkshalady@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Prathapkumar Halady
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Shetty
mesh_terms: D005427:Flocculation; D005685:Galactans / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D058836:Weissella / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D005685:Galactans; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial
keywords: Emulsion; Flocculation; Galactan; Physicochemical properties; Syneresis