Microbial exopolysaccharides (EPSs), having great structural diversity, have gained tremendous interest for their prebiotic effects. In the present study, mice models were used to investigate if microbial dextran and inulin-type EPSs could also play role in the modulation of microbiomics and metabolomics by improving certain biochemical parameters, such as blood cholesterol and glucose levels and weight gain. Feeding the mice for 21 days on EPS-supplemented feed resulted in only 7.6 ± 0.8% weight gain in the inulin-fed mice group, while the dextran-fed group also showed a low weight gain trend as compared to the control group. Blood glucose levels of the dextran- and inulin-fed groups did not change significantly in comparison with the control where it increased by 22 ± 5%. Moreover, the dextran and inulin exerted pronounced hypocholesterolemic effects by reducing the serum cholesterol levels by 23% and 13%, respectively. The control group was found to be mainly populated with Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus gallinarum, Mammaliicoccus lentus and Klebsiella aerogenes. The colonization of E. faecalis was inhibited by 59–65% while the intestinal release of Escherichia fergusonii was increased by 85–95% in the EPS-supplemented groups, respectively, along with the complete inhibition of growth of other enteropathogens. Additionally, higher populations of lactic acid bacteria were detected in the intestine of EPS-fed mice as compared to controls.

The naturally occurring, biocompatible and biodegradable biopolymer dextran is a versatile material for the formulation of hydrogels with desirable properties for use in medicine, drug delivery, and tissue engineering applications. The distinctive structural and physicochemical characteristics, such as polymeric nature, gelling ability and excellent swelling properties, present it as an excellent biomaterial for drug delivery. This study explores the synthesis and characterization of dextran hydrogel for the encapsulation of clindamycin as an innovative approach for controlled drug delivery. The dextran hydrogel was synthesized through a simple and cost-effective method, and its swelling behavior, temperature and pH dependence, and surface morphology were investigated. The maximum equilibrium swelling ratio (73 ± 1%) of the hydrogel was observed in water at 25 °C within 120 min, and the hydrogel was found to be pH- and temperature-dependent for more precise and targeted drug delivery. Moreover, the dextran hydrogel was found to retain water for up to 18 h and remain stable for 8 days. The presence of a roughened surface with large openings/pores on the surface illustrated the high swelling capability of the synthesized hydrogel. In addition, the dextran hydrogel loaded with clindamycin demonstrated high drug loading capacity (70 ± 2%), rapid (65 ± 2%) in vitro drug release potential and pathogen-inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus gallinarium and Bacillus subtilis.