Localization of O-Acetyl Groups of Bacterial Alginate

Abstract
Azotobacter vinelandii alginates were hydrolyzed by polyguluronate lyase and polymannuronate lyase. Both high MW and low MW fragments were obtained. The high MW fragments were of polymannuronic acid nature and many were acetylated. The high MW fragments may correspond to the original product of biosynthesis, and the acyl groups may protect certain mannuronic acid residues from epimerization during biosynthesis.