Structure of the extracellular gelling polysaccharide produced by Enterobacter (NCIB 11870) species.

The gelling polysaccharide produced by a species of Enterobacter (NCIB 11870) contains L-fucose, D-glucose, and D-glucuronic acid in the ratios 1:2:1. Analysis of the methylated and methylated, carboxyl-reduced polysaccharide revealed terminal non-reducing glucose, (1----3)-linked fucose, (1----3,1----4)-linked glucose, and (1----4)-linked glucuronic acid in the ratios 1:1:1.2:0.8. From the results of Smith degradation of the polysaccharide and spectroscopic studies of the acidic tetra- and octa-saccharides produced by bacteriophage-induced enzymic depolymerization of the polysaccharide, the following tetrasaccharide repeating-unit is proposed. (Formula: see text). This repeating-unit is identical to that of the capsular polysaccharide produced by Klebsiella aerogenes serotype K54 except for the absence of O-acetyl groups. The effects of the O-acetyl groups on the secondary structure and rheological properties of these polysaccharides are discussed.