title: Growth-related substituent changes in exopolysaccharides of fast-growing rhizobia.
abstract: Pyruvic acid and O-acetyl groups are the major noncarbohydrate substituents in exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by fast-growing species of Rhizobium. EPS substituent variations were observed among strains of the same species. The amounts of these substituents also varied with culture age; pyruvic acid increased in the EPS of all four species, whereas O-acetyl increased in Rhizobium trifolii and R. leguminosarum EPS, decreased in R. meliloti EPS, and remained constant in R. phaseoli EPS. The use of glycerol as a substrate for R. meliloti significantly increased EPS yields, whereas mannitol increased those of the other three Rhizobium species.
authors.affiliation: Northern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cadmus
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Burton
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Slodki