Extracellular polysaccharide produced from glucose by Arthrobacter viscosus NRRL B‐1973: Chemical and physical characterization

The polysaccharide produced in good yields by Arthrobacter viscosus NRRL B‐1973 when grown in liquid medium containing glucose has been isolated from the culture fluids, purified and characterized. The constituents of this water‐soluble polysaccharide have been shown to be D‐glucose, D‐galactose, and D‐mannuronic acid (as the potassium salt) in approximately equimolar proportions, and about 25% of O‐acetyl groups. The rarity of known occurrences of D‐mannuronic acid in polysaccharides other than alginates is documented. Properties which have been observed as significant for utilization include, for both native and deacetylated forms of the polysaccharide: high viscosity of dispersions in water and in solutions containing chlorides, stability of viscosity to shear and to pH change in the normal range, and excellent quality of unsupported films; and for the native polysaccharide: stability in storage and the favorable influence of alcohol‐water solvent on rate of dispersion and viscosity attained.