Isolation and characterization of a new extracellular polysaccharide from an Acetobacter species

Abstract

An expolysaccharide (EPS)‐producing strain of the genus Acetobacter (named IFR 101) was isolated from a commercial vinegar acidifier. IFR 101 can be grown over the pH range 3.0–8.0 and the temperature range 12–35°C, and is ethanol‐tolerant to 10% v/v. Neutral sugar analysis of the purified EPS indicates the presence of the sugars mannose, galactose and glucose. Methylation studies and NMR data suggest that the EPS may either be a complex branched polysaccharide or a mixture of simpler linear and branched structures. Aqueous preparations of IFR 101 exhibit reversible shear‐thinning behaviour.