Optimal production of exopolysaccharide by Bacillus licheniformis KS-17 isolated from kimchi

A strain producing exopolysaccharide (EPS) with strong hydroxyradical scavenging activity and antityrosinase activity has been isolated previously. However, the EPS production rate of the strain (7. 3 g/L) was relatively low to utilize it at the industrial level. Therefore, in this study, optimal medium and fermentation conditions were examined to enhance EPS production by Bacillus licheniformis KS-17. Maximum EPS production was obtained in medium with 125 g/L sucrose, 30 g/L ammonium sulfate, and 10 mM calcium chloride without a phosphate source at 37°C for 5 days with the initial pH adjusted to 8. 5. Under optimal culture conditions, EPS was produced at up to 27. 2 (at 5 days) vs. 12. 0 g/L (at 7 days under basal conditions), which was 2. 3 times greater and in a shorter time than the production yield possible without optimizing conditions.