A Study on Screening, Optimization, Production and Application of Dextran from Weissella Cibaria

Abstract

Dextran a high molecular weight exopolysaccharide with significant industrial and biomedical applications is predominantly produced by latic acid bacteria. This study focuses on the screening, optimization, production, and application of dextran from Weissella cibaria a promising dextran production microorganism. Intially various Weissella cibaria were screened for dextran production using sucrose based media with W. cibaria demonstrating superior yield and polymer quality. Optimization of culture condition such as pH, temperature, incubation, time and sucrose concentration was carried out using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to maximize dextran yield. The optimized condition resulted in a significant enhancement of dextran production, confirmed through gravimetric and spectrophotometric analyses. Structural characterization via FTIR and NMR confirmed the polymeric nature and functional groups of the dextran produced. Finally the application potential of the produced dextran was evaluated in food and pharamaceutical contexts, particularly as a prebiotic and a stabilizing/thickening agent. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using W. cibaria as a sustainable microbial source for high quality dextran with potential for scalable industrial production.