Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The influence of EDTA on the composition of alginate synthesized by Azotobacter vinelandii

  • Published:
Archives of Microbiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

  1. 1.

    During an investigation of the physiology of Azotobacter vinelandii with particular reference to polysaccharide formation, a suitable medium which was precipitate-free was developed by adding EDTA at a concentration of 50 mg/l to a basal medium containing one of eight different carbohydrates as sole carbon source.

  2. 2.

    Acetylated alginate was always produced by the organism when cultured under defined conditions, regardless of the carbohydrate source incorporated in the basal medium.

  3. 3.

    When EDTA was added to the medium, the bacteria produced acetylated polyuronides with a preponderance of mannuronic acid residues.

  4. 4.

    A comparison of the infrared spectra of the alginate produced by Azotobacter vinelandii and the affect of EDTA upon the mannuronic acid/guluronic acid ratios of the alginate are reported.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atkins, E. D. T., Mackie, W., Smolko, E. E.: Crystalline structure of alginic acid. Nature (Lond.) 225, 626–628 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlson, D. M., Mathews, L. W.: Polyuronic acid produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biochemistry 5, 2817–2822 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Claus, D.: 2-keto-3-deoxygalactonic acid as a constituent of an extracellular polysaccharide of Azotobacter vinelandii. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 20, 745–751 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, G. H., Johnstone, D. B.: Extracellular polysaccharides of Azotobacter vinelandii. J. Bact. 88, 329–338 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Couperwhite, I.: The physiology of Azotobacter vinelandii with particular reference to polysaccharide formation. Ph. D. Thesis, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, F. G., Dörfel, H.: Die papierchromatographische Trennung und Bestimmung der Uronsäuren. Hoppe-Seyler's Z. physiol. Chem. 301, 224–234 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorin, P. A. J., Spencer, J. F. T.: Exocellular alginic acid from Azotobacter vinelandii. Canad. J. Chem. 44, 993–998 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A.: Composition and properties of alginates. Norwegian Institute of Seaweed Research, Report No. 30 (1964)

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B.: Separation of uronic acids by paper electrophoresis. Acta chem. scand. 15, 1395–1396 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B.: Quantitative determination of the uronic acid composition of alginates. Acta chem. scand. 16, 1908–1918 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B.: Biosynthesis of alginate. Epimerization of D-mannuronic to L-guluronic acid residues in the polymer chain. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 192, 557–559 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B.: Biosynthesis of alginate: Part II. Polymannuronic acid C-5-epimerase from Azotobacter vinelandii (Lipman). Carbohyd. Res. 17, 297–308 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B., Smidsrød, O.: A study on the constitution of alginic acid by partial acid hydrolysis. Acta chem. scand. 20, 183–190 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Haug, A., Larsen, B., Smidsrød, O.: Studies on the sequence of uronic acid residues in alginic acid. Acta chem. scand. 21, 691–704 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, B.: The physiology of carbohydrate formation by Azotobacter. Ph. D. Thesis, Indiana University, Bloomington, India, USA (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, B., Haug, A.: Biosynthesis of alginate: Part I. Composition and structure of alginate produced by Azotobacter vinelandii (Lipman). Carbohyd. Res. 17, 287–296 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Larsen, B., Haug, A.: Biosynthesis of alginate: Part III. Tritium incorporation with polymannuronic acid 5-epimerase from Azotobacter vinelandii. Carbohyd. Res. 20, 225–232 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindahl, U., Bäckström, G., Malström, A., Fransson, L-Å: Biosynthesis of L-iduronic acid in heparin. Epimerization of D-glucuronic acid on the polymer level. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 46, 985–991 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mackie, W.: Semi-quantitative estimation of the composition of alginates by infrared spectroscopy. Carbohyd. Res. 20, 413–415 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Newton, J. W., Wilson, P. W., Burris, R. H.: Direct demonstration of ammonia as an intermediate in nitrogen fixation by Azotobacter. J. biol. Chem. 204, 445–451 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szejtli, J.: Zusammenhang zwischen Zusammensetzung und IR-Spektrum bei Alginsäuren verschiedener Herkunft. Nahrung 10, 291–296 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Iain Couperwhite

    Present address: Institut for Marin Biokjemi, Norges Teknisk-Naturvitenskapelige Forskningsråd, N-7034, Trondheim-NTH, Norway

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Microbiology, Royal College, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

    Iain Couperwhite & May F. McCallum

Authors
  1. Iain Couperwhite
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. May F. McCallum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Couperwhite, I., McCallum, M.F. The influence of EDTA on the composition of alginate synthesized by Azotobacter vinelandii . Arch. Microbiol. 97, 73–80 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403047

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00403047

Key words

Search

Navigation