Isolation and Characterization of a Novel Polysaccharide Producing Bacillus polymyxa A49 KCTC 4648P

The strain A49, which produces a new type of extracellular polysaccharide was isolated from soil samples. From morphological, physiological and biochemical tests, the strain A49 was identified as a Bacillus polymyxa and named Bacillus polymyxa A49. Bacillus polymyxa A49 was found to produce a highly viscous extracellular polysaccharide when grown aerobically in a medium containing glucose as the sole source of carbon. The polysaccharide (A49 POL) showed a homogeneous pattern on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and its molecular weight was estimated to be about 1.6 mega dalton (mDa). The FT-IR spectrum of A49-POL revealed typical characteristics of polysaccharides. As a result of investigations with HPLC and carbozole assay, A49-POL was found to consist of L-fucose, D-galactose, D-glucose, D-mannose, and D-glucuronic acid, with the molar ratio of these sugars being approximately 1:2:7:50:12. Rheological analysis of A49 POL revealed that it is pseudoplastic and has a higher apparent viscosity at dilute concentrations than does xanthan gum. The consistancy factor of A49 POL was found to be higher, and the flow index of A49 POL lower, than xanthan gum. Its apparent viscosity was comparatively unstable at various temperatures. the A49 POL showed the highest apparent viscosity at pH 3. When salts were added to A49 POL solution, the solution was compatible with up to 10% KCl, 35% NaCl, 55% $CaCl_2$, 55% $MgCl_2$, 55% $K_2HPO_4$, and 110% $Ca({NO_3})_2$, respectively.