Structural features and immunological perception of the cell surface glycans of Lactobacillus plantarum: a novel rhamnose-rich polysaccharide and teichoic acids.

•L. plantarum IMB19 glycocalyx is a complex mixture of teichoic acids and a capsular polysaccharide.•L. plantarum produces both glycerol- and ribitol-type teichoic acids.•The capsular polysaccharide is a minor component of the glycocalyx.•The capsule, and not the teichoic acid, has a pronounced immunostimulatory activity.