Screening of locally isolated lactic acid bacteria for production of exopolysaccharides (EPS)

Thirty strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from different local fermented foods. Isolates were identified by using morphological, cultural and biochemical tests using the API 50-CHL and API 20 Strep systems. Preliminary characterization tests showed that 33.33% of the isolates were rod shaped and 66.67% belonged to cocci bacteria.

Studying the Effect of Adding Some Polysaccharides on Functional Properties of Milk Proteins

The study was accomplished on proteins (caseins – whey proteins) of local milk after producing casein by precipitation with ethanol , and whey proteins by heat precipitation. The functional properties (Water Binding – Emulsifying Properties – Gelation) were studied on prepared milk proteins , the witness experiment (pure casein) was followed for comparison. This functional properties were repeated after adding xanthane and starch with three different concentrations for each kind of proteins , then the results were compared. For statistical analysis, the system of totally –random selections was applied, and a comparison was made as of L.S.D test, and possibility level at 5%. The results showed improvement in functional properties of prepared milk proteins when xanthane and starch were added in the percentage ( 5 - 5 – 10 % ) for the properties (Water Binding – Emulsifying Properties – Gelation ) respectively.