Method for producing exopolysaccharide, and use of same

A composition comprising an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium of any of a bacterium belonging to the genus Lactobacillus, a bacterium belonging to the genus Lactococcus, a bacterium belonging to the genus Streptococcus, and a bacterium belonging to the genus Bifidobacterium, treated under a condition that a lag phase is prolonged by 10% or more, for use of an exopolysaccharide as a functional ingredient.

A bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus delbrueckii having a lag phase of 152 minutes or more, a bacterium belonging to Lactococcus lactis having a lag phase of 236 minutes or more, a bacterium belonging to Streptococcus thermophilus having a lag phase of 199 minutes or more, and a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium breve having a lag phase of 425 minutes or more.

A composition comprising any of a bacterium belonging to Lactobacillus delbrueckii having an ability to produce an exopolysaccharide of 30 mg/kg or more, a bacterium belonging to Lactococcus lactis having an ability to produce an exopolysaccharide of 2.2 mg/kg or more, a bacterium belonging to Streptococcus thermophilus having an ability to produce an exopolysaccharide of 69 mg/kg or more, and a bacterium belonging to Bifidobacterium breve having an ability to produce an exopolysaccharide of 4.2 mg/kg or more.

13-15. (canceled)

A method for producing a fermented milk, the method comprising fermenting a raw material milk with one or two or more lactic acid-producing bacteria including exopolysaccharide-producing bacteria treated so that a lag phase is prolonged by 10% or more to obtain a fermented milk containing an exopolysaccharide.

A method for improving an ability to produce an exopolysaccharide of an exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium, the method comprising treating the exopolysaccharide-producing bacterium under a condition that a lag phase is prolonged.