Fig. 1

(A) Mucoid colonies phenotype; (B) visually examined for coagulation and ropy EPS expression. (C) Phase contrast microscopy of India ink-stained cells showing the presence of the capsule-like EPS, (C1) Limosilactobacillus fermentum RE 245 (Accession No.215810), and (C2) Limosilactobacillus fermentum RE 280(Accession No.215848); (D) Ruthenium red stain tints the bacterial cell wall, so white colonies (+) EPS while red colonies (-) EPS