Exopolysaccharides, formed from sugars by microorganisms, are mostly produced in dairy-based fermentation products, but can also be produced in fruit or vegetable-based fermentation, such as banana peels. This study aims to produce exopolysaccharides from banana peel waste using L. acidophilus and L. plantarum bacterial fermentation, with tests to observe the effects of sucrose addition concentration, bacterial type, and functional groups on the resulting exopolysaccharides. The observed parameters were texture, color, weight and sugar content, and identification of functional groups in the produced polysaccharides. The research results showed that the addition of sucrose to both L. acidophilus and L. plantarum isolates resulted in significant differences in texture for each variable. However, the use of different isolates (L. acidophilus and L. plantarum) did not show significant differences in texture. There was a significant difference in color between the two isolates, with L. plantarum being darker. L. plantarum isolate was able to produce a higher amount of glucose in EPS than L. acidophilus. The exopolysaccharide produced showed the presence of polysaccharides, which are generally composed of O-H (hydroxyl), C=O (carbonyl), -C-H/C-H2, -C4-O4H, and α(1,6) glycosidic bonds.

Keywords : Exopolysaccharides, L. acidophilus, L. plantarum.