Polysaccharide S-60 and bacterial fermentation process for its preparation
AssigneeMerck & Co., Inc.
InventorsKenneth S. Kang, George T. Veeder
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Abstract
A novel polysaccharide S-60 is disclosed composed of principally carbohydrate, 10-15% protein, and 3-4.5% acetyl groups as the O-glycosidically linked ester. The carbohydrate portion contains about 11% glucuronic acid (based on wt. gum) and the neutral sugars rhamnose and glucose, the latter having an approximate molar ratio of 3 to 2. This polysaccharide is produced by a new Pseudomonas species, P. elodea, in a suitable fermentation medium.
Claims5
Heteropolysaccharide S-60, the carbohydrate portion of which contains about 6-9% (wt./wt.) O-acetyl groups as the O-glycosidically linked ester, about 22% (wt./wt.) glucuronic acid, and the neutral sugars rhamnose and glucose in the approximate molar ratio 3:2, said rhamnose and glucose sugars being primarily 1,4 .beta.-linked, said heteropolysaccharide being further characterized in that it is anionic, forms elastic, thermoreversible gels which melt and set in the range of about 65.degree.-70.degree. C., and forms aqueous solutions whose 0.1% viscosity is 40-80 cP, measured on a Brookfield LVF viscometer, spindle 2, 60 rpm, 25.degree. C.
Heteropolysaccharide S-60 produced by a process comprising incubating the organism Pseudomonas elodea in a fermentation medium containing a carbon source, source of potassium ions, a source of nitrogen, trace inorganic elements, and water at a temperature of 28.degree.-32.degree. C. and pH of 6-8 for 40-60 hours, and recovering the heteropolysaccharide by precipitation with a suitable lower alcohol.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.