Production of slime polysaccharide by EHEC and STEC as well as the influence of culture conditions on slime production in Escherichia coli O157:H7.
OBJECTIVE
To quantify the slime polysaccharide, composed of colanic acid (CA), produced by enterohaemorrhagic and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (EHEC and STEC) and to determine the influence of culture conditions on CA production in E. coli O157:H7.


RESULTS
The study examined the amounts of CA produced by EHEC and STEC, and evaluated the production of CA in E. coli O157:H7 as influenced by medium pH and incubation temperatures. The results indicated that the amounts of CA produced by EHEC and STEC vary to a great extent and CA production in E. coli O157:H7 is influenced by the tested culture conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
The abilities of EHEC and STEC to produce CA differ. Medium pH and incubation temperature are among the important factors affecting CA production in E. coli O157:H7.


CONCLUSIONS
Slime polysaccharide can affect the abilities of E. coli O157:H7 cells to combat environmental stress. This study contributes to a better understanding of the physiological factors influencing slime polysaccharide production in EHEC and STEC.
Yeh
J Y
JY
Department of Food Science and Technology, The University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223-1797, USA.
Chen
J
J
D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D022603:Shiga Toxins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013696:Temperature
D011134:Polysaccharides; D011135:Polysaccharides, Bacterial; D022603:Shiga Toxins; C004275:colanic acid