The Reducing Sugars Liberated during the Bacterial Synthesis of Polysaccharides from Sucrose

SUMMARY: Paper chromatography was used for studying qualitatively and quantitatively the reducing sugars liberated from sucrose during the synthesis of polysaccharides by certain bacteria. Glucose and fructose were the only sugars detected, varying in amount with the bacteria and with the type of polysaccharide synthesized. The results suggest that both polymerizing and hydrolytic enzymes were present.