Overview of exopolysaccharides produced by Weissella genus – A review

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are much diversed in structure, composition and applications which also adding a great commercial potential due to its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status. LAB genus such as Lactobacillus, Leuconostoc, Streptococcus, Weissella, Lactococcus are known to produce EPS. Among this genus, Weissella is enormously reported for diversity and high production of EPS with wide range of industrial applications and bio-functional properties. This review summarize in detail about the Weissella EPS from genus to functional application. Physico-chemical characterization from production, purification step to structural elucidation of Weissella EPS is comprehensively discussed along with their properties. Weissella genus has revealed various EPS with significant functional potentials, making massive application in food and pharma industries as viscosifiers, biothickener, emulsifiers and stabilizers. In addition to this, biological properties of these EPS revealed multiple health promoting properties which can be explored for further applications in food and pharmaceutical sectors.