Exopolysaccharides from fermented dairy products and health promotion

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd, Palmerston North, New Zealand 

Can lactic acid bacteria (LAB) exopolysaccharides (EPSs) play a role in improving gastrointestinal health More specifically, can the EPSs serve another role by interacting with the human immune system or even the human microbiome itself More recent gains in knowledge of the mechanisms by which EPS interacts with the intestinal tract, the microbiome and immune function seem to present an additional nutritional role that is offered by fermented dairy products. 

A number of reviews and studies have been published dealing with the potential health and nutritional benefits of EPSs from LAB in fermented dairy products for example, EPSs from LAB have been associated with various health benefits, such as the lowering of cholesterol (Liu et al., 2(X)6 Maeda, Zhu, Omura, Suzuki, Kitamura, 2004 Nakajima, Suzuki, Hirota, 1992), anti-hypertensive effects (Maeda, Zhu, Suzuki, Suzuki, Kitamura, 2004), anticarcinogenic effects (Furukawa, Takahashi, Yamanaka, 1996 Kitazawa et al., 1991) and immunomodnlatory activity (Chabot et al., 2001 Nishimura-Uemura et al., 2003 Vinderola, Matar, Palacios, Perdigdn, 2007). Apart from these effects, there also appears be a complex web of interactions between LAB EPSs and human gnt miaobiota, some enteric pathogens and toxins, and gut epithelial cells and the immune system the discnssion that follows presents evidence for health and nntritional benefits that are potentially derived from these relationships. 

2 Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) from fermented dairy products 

Fermented dairy product Associated lactic acid bacteria 

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Exopolysaccharides from fermented dairy products and health promotion... 

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