Preparation and preliminary characterization of exopolysaccharides by yeast Rhodotorula acheniorum MC

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 1999 Sep;81(3):181-91. doi: 10.1385/abab:81:3:181.

Abstract

The effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the synthesis of exopolysaccharides by Rhodotorula acheniorum MC were studied. The dynamic viscosity of cell-free culture broths during exopolysaccharide synthesis were measured. The highest values for the viscosity (10.14 MPa.s) and crude polysaccharide productivity (6.6 g/L) were obtained in a medium supplied with 5% sucrose. Ammonium sulfate was the most favorable nitrogen source for exopolysaccharide synthesis. The value of pH played a determinant role, and the obligatory condition for exopolysaccharide production was low (pH 1.7-2.0) during the fermentation. The chemical composition and sugar constituents of the crude exopolysaccharides were determined. Mannose was the main monosaccharide component, and its concentration was the highest (69.13%) in the crude exopolysaccharide synthesized in the medium that included 5% sucrose as a carbon source.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Culture Media
  • Fermentation
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Nitrogen / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / biosynthesis
  • Polysaccharides / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides / metabolism*
  • Rhodotorula / metabolism*

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Polysaccharides
  • Nitrogen