ARS | Publication request: STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE EXTRACELLULAR POLYSACCHARIDE FROM BUTYRIVIBRIO FIBRISOLVENS STRAIN CF3

Submitted to: Carbohydrate Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 23, 1996
Publication Date: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Microorganisms can produce complex carbohydrate (sugar) molecules called polysaccharides. Some of these polysaccharides, like xanthan, are useful as food additives and have a variety of other commercial applications. In previous work, we discovered that strains of bacteria isolated from cattle produce polysaccharides with unusual chemical and physical properties. In the current study, we further determined the structure of a particular polysaccharide made by one of these microorganisms. This information will help to ascertain whether these polysaccharides have potential commercial value.

Technical Abstract: The structure of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens strain CF3 capsular polysaccharide has been investigated mainly by sugar and methylation analysis, Smith degradation, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The results suggest that the polysaccharide is composed of pentasaccharide repeating units of altrose, glucose, carboxyethyl glucose, and carboxyethyl galactose, with a side group of glucose attached to the number 2 carbon of the altrose unit.