Skip to main content
ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #229275
Title: Polysaccharides from Sugar - A Range of Structures

Author
item Cote, Gregory
item Eggleston, Gillian

Submitted to: New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/20/2008
Publication Date: 4/20/2008
Citation: Cote, G.L., Eggleston, G. 2008. Polysaccharides from sugar - A range of structures [abstract]. New Orleans Carbohydrate Symposium. p. 6.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: It has been known for many years that bacteria, most notably Leuconostoc spp., can convert sugar into a high-molecular weight glucan known as dextran. While problematic in the sugar industry due to its potential for forming biofilms, viscous slimes and for interfering with massecuite boiling and sucrose crystallization, dextran is also an important commercial product. However, it is not widely understood that Leuconostoc spp. can produce not only the classic alpha-(1'6)-linked dextran, but a number of other glucan structures as well. These can range from the highly soluble, low-viscosity alternan to the completely insoluble alpha-(1'3)-linked glucans similar to streptococcal mutan. Copolymers of these structures may also exist. Our understanding of Leuconostoc biofilms can benefit by studying the glucans they produce and by studies analogous to those done on biofilms prevalent in dental caries.