Rheological characteristics of Klebsiella oxytoca exopolysaccharide (KOP) were investigated. Syneresis was 10% significantly lower (P<0.01) in KOP treated yoghurt than in the control. KOP yoghurt was highest in gumminess 80 and hardness 182. KOP and commercial binder treated sausages did not differ (P>0.01) in firmness, however, 0.25% (w/w) of the KOP replaced 17% (w/w) of commercial binder. (C) 2009, The Society for Biotechnology, Japan. All rights reserved.