Structural analysis and prebiotic properties of the polysaccharides produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum YT013

Exopolysaccharides (EPS) from <i>Lactiplantibacillus plantarum</i> YT013 were isolated, structurally characterized and evaluated for gastrointestinal stability and <i>in vitro</i> prebiotic potential. YT013-EPS-1 (57.51 kDa) demonstrated superior resistance to simulated gastrointestinal digestion and maintained structural integrity relative to YT013-EPS-2 (149.3 kDa). Both EPSs exhibited significantly increased antioxidant activity after digestion relative to their undigested forms. In an <i>in vitro</i> mouse fecal fermentation model, YT013-EPS-1 significantly increased SCFA production and promoted beneficial bacteria such as <i>Phascolarctobacterium</i> and <i>Lactobacillus</i>, while reducing potentially pathogenic genera such as <i>Escherichia-Shigella</i> and <i>Acinetobacter</i>. These microbial and metabolic shifts suggest that YT013-EPS-1 influences gut microbiota and promotes microbial metabolites associated with intestinal barrier function and host metabolic regulation. Notably, YT013-EPS-1 exerted more pronounced modulatory effects on gut microbiota composition and SCFA profiles than YT013-EPS-2. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of YT013-EPS-1 as a prebiotic ingredient for modulating gut microbiota <i>in vitro</i>.