Structural studies of the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella type 28.

The capsular polysaccharide from Klebsiella type 28 has been studied by methylation analysis, a modified Smith-degradation procedure, and uronic acid degradation with subsequent oxidation and elimination of the substituents of the oxidized residue. The polysaccharide contained the hexasaccharide repeating-unit shown below. The terminal D-glucopyranose residue was hydrolysed by emulsin, indicating a beta linkage. The anomeric natures of other glycosidic linkages were determined by characterization of fragments obtained during the degradative studies. The D-galactopyranose residue was not present in any fragment, but is assumed to be alpha-linked from optical-rotation considerations. (see article)