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Ultrasound-assisted degradation of a new bacterial exopolysaccharide WL-26 from <i>Sphingomonas</i> sp.


Wei Jia
Li Zhu
Jin-Song Zhang
Xiao-Bei Zhan
Yan-Yan Bai
Shuai Zhou
Yan-Fang Liu
Zhi-Yong Zheng
Chi-Chung Lin

Abstract

Ultrasonic degradation of a new exopolysaccharide WL-26 from Sphingomonas sp. was made over the frequency range 200 to 1200 Hz and polymer concentrations of 3, 5, 10 and 20 g/L using high performance anion exchange pulsed-amperometric detection chromatography (HPAEC–PAD) and infrared spectroscopy. Sonication was more efficient with less concentrated polysaccharide solutions, high ultrasonic frequency, long duration of ultrasonic irradiation and degradation continued until a limiting molecular weight was attained. Results show that HPAEC–PAD revealed WL-26 to be an acidic polysaccharide composed of rhamnose, glucose, mannose, galactose and glucuronic acid in the molar ratio of 10:9:3:1:3 distinctly different from welan gum which does not contain galactose.

Key words: Exopolysaccharide WL-26, ultrasonic degradation, infrared spectroscopy.


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