Abstract: In order to study the effects of Exopolysaccharides (EPS) and its components on the growth characteristics of probiotics, the probiotic function of L. helveticus MB2-1 source EPS was better clarified. In this paper, the OD600 value of ten probiotics continuously cultured in a medium with EPS and its components as the sole carbon source were determined. The residual amount of total polysaccharide and the amount of short chain fatty acid in 10 probiotics from 0 to 48 hours were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that the 10 probiotics can grow and propagate at different speeds in the medium with EPS and EPS-2 as the sole carbon source. Among them, Enterococcus faecium grown in EPS reached a maximum growth rate of 0.225 h-1 at 11.56 h. Lactic acid were produced more than other short-chain fatty acids. Lactobacillus paracasei was the most lactic acid producing group, when fermentation time reached 48 h, the lactic acid concentration reached 576 mM, compared with 261mM at the beginning of fermentation, it is increased by 121.7%. This study demonstrated that EPS which derived from L. helveticus MB2-1 is a good carbon source for ten probiotics, can be used as potential prebiotics to regulate intestinal health in human and animals.

Key words: Lactobacillus helveticus MB2-1, Exopolysaccharides(EPS), Growth curve, Short-chain fatty acids, Probiotic function