title: Endpoint fragmentation index: a method for monitoring the evolution of microbial degradation of polysaccharide feedstocks.
abstract: We describe a simple method for tracking the course of microbial degradation of polysaccharide-rich feedstocks. The method involves determining total polysaccharides present in the feedstock, measured in glucose equivalents, relative to the fractional component of polysaccharides exhibiting 2,3-dinitrosalycylic acid aldehyde activity. The ratio of total polysaccharide to aldehyde activity, defined as the end-point fragmentation (EPF) index, is then calculated and tracked as it shifts as microbial degradation of polysaccharide-rich feedstock progresses. While degradation occurs, the EPF index falls. It bottoms out at an asymptotic limit marking the point in time where further degradation of the polysaccharide-rich feedstock has ceased. The EPF index can be used to follow the progressive breakdown of composting polysaccharide-rich waste. It may also have applicability as a means of tracking the turnover of polysaccharides in other complex environments including soil, sediments, wetlands, and peat bogs.
authors.affiliation: TGA LLC, 13851 Verte Court, Lake Oswego, OR 97034, USA. greent@spiretech.com
authors.forename: Terrence R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Popa
mesh_terms: D000447:Aldehydes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D008829:Microbiology; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000447:Aldehydes; D011134:Polysaccharides