Enzyme formation and polysaccharide synthesis by bacteria

Abstract

Suitable media for large scale production of the polysaccharides from Rhizobium leguminosarum (clover strain) and from Azotobacter chroococcum are described. The R. leguminosarum polysaccharide is a white fibrous mass [a]D -17[degree] in water. It was hydrolyzed by N H2SO4 to glucose (67%) and a uronic acid isolated as the Ba salt (23%). The Azotobacter polysaccharide also formed a white fibrous mass [[alpha]]D -2[degree] in water and was hydrolyzed by N/2 H2SO4 to glucose (87%) and a uronic acid (approx. 3%). Both polysaccharides probably belong to the same class of compound as the Types II and III Pneumococcus specific polysaccharides.