Structural and immunological studies of an exopolysaccharide from Acinetobacter junii BB1A

A water-soluble heteropolysaccharide (PS) was isolated from extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by a novel metal tolerant bacterium, Acinetobacter junii BB1A. Sugar analysis showed that the PS was composed of mannose, galactose and arabinose in a molar ratio of nearly 3:1:1. Structural characterization of the PS was carried out using methylation analysis, periodate oxidation, Smith degradation and 1D/2D NMR experiments. Methylation analysis revealed that the PS was consisted of 2,4-linked-mannopyranosyl, 3,4-linked-mannopyranosyl, 2-linked-galactopyranosyl, terminal mannopyranosyl and arabinopyranosyl residues in a relative proportion of nearly 1:1:1:1:1. Smith degradation of the PS showed the presence of hydrated glyceraldehyde containing disaccharide unit consisting of α-d-Manp-(1→and→4)-α-d-Manp-(1→residues where the later was directly attached to a hydrated glyceraldehyde moiety. This polysaccharide showed significant in vitro splenocyte, thymocyte, and macrophage activations with optimum dose of 100 μg/mL for macrophage and 25 μg/mL both for the splenocyte and thymocyte.