[Preparation, purification and identification of sialic acid from Escherichia coli C-8]

Colominic acid produced from Escherichia coli C-8 was purified by ammonia sulfate precipitation, dialysis and concentration. After hydrolysis of colominic acid at a pH of 2.5, at 70 degrees C for 4 h, sialic acid was obtained, then purified by chromatography on Dowex1-x8. Analysis of thin-layer chromatography and absorption spectrum of sialic acid in the orcinol/Fe3+/HCl and the periodic acid/thiobarbituric acid confirmed that its purity was identical with that of standard sample.