Summary
In addition to the excretion of soluble acidic polysaccharides many fast-growing rhizobia deposit insoluble neutral capsular polysaccharide (CPS), which is composed of d-mannose, d-galactose, and d-glucose in the ratios 1:4:1. CPS was found to occur in all strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum and R. trifolii. Synthesis takes place in the stationary phase of growth, but the extent of synthesis differs widely for individual strains. CPS was not found in the species R. phaseoli and R. meliloti. CPS can be extracted from the cell pellet with N NAOH and the so obtained material is notable for its gelling character. It is insoluble in cold water and dissolves in hot water to a clear solution. On cooling to room temperature the solution solidifies to a resilient gel at a setting point of 40–45° C, and remelts on heating at 50–55° C. Gel strength of CPS in 500 g/cm2 for a 1% suspension.
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Zevenhuizen, L.P.T.M. Gel-forming capsular polysaccharide of fast-growing rhizobia: occurrence and rheological properties. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 20, 393–399 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261941
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00261941