The Hydrolysis of Dextran by Gram Negative Non‐sporing Anaerobic Bacilli

The ability of Gram negative anaerobic bacilli to hydrolyse dextran was determined in liquid and solid media containing Blue Dextran 2000. Released blue chromophore in the liquid medium was detected spectrophotometrically. Results obtained with 334 strains of Bacteroidaceae grown on the solid medium indicated that most strains did not hydrolyse the substrate. Hydrolysis of Blue Dextran 2000 occurred with certain strains of Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron , B. melaninogenicus ss. melaninogenicus, B. oralis, B. ovatus and B. ochraceus.