A Novel Phosphopolysaccharide from Slime-Forming Lactococcus lactis subspecies cremoris SBT 0495

Slime-fomring Lactococcus lactis ssp. cremoris SBT 0495 was isolated from starter culture of Finnish fennented milk "Villi". The slime material, which was obtained (yield of 500 mgIL) from culture supernatant in whey penneate medium, contained 42% carbohydrate and 21% protein. Separation of polysaccharide and protein by anion-exchange chromatography was insufficient. Preparative SDS-PAGE was more effective. The purified polysaccharide (150 mgIL culture broth) contained less than .5% protein. It consisted of carbohydrate and phosphorus in a molar ratio of 5.2:1. Rhamnose, glucose, and galactose were found in a molar ratio of 1:1.45:1.75. Sialic acid, hexosamine, and uronic acid were not detected. Apparent molecular weight was estimated to be 1.7 x 1()6 by gel penneation chromatography. Thus, we concluded that the main component in the slime was a novel phosphopolysaccharide (phosphorus-<:ontaining polysaccharide).