Production of dextran by leuconostoc mesenteroides TISTR 053 in fed batch fermentation

Dextran is a natural homopolysaccharide composed of α (1,6)-linkages in their major chain and is synthesized by dextransucrase of the microbial cell in the presence of sucrose as a substrate. The production of dextran by sucrose fermentation using Leuconostoc mesenteroides TISTR 053 was carried out in a Biostat B plus fermenter with total working volume of 3 liter. The effects of sucrose concentrations and modes of operation (batch and fed batch) were studied. The maximum dextran production obtained after 24 hours of incubation at 37 o C with 20% sucrose in batch fermentation. The fed batch fermentation  promoted the dextran productivity. The structure of dextran was determined and confirmed  by FTIR and NMR.