Isolation of alpha-glucan and lipopolysaccharide fractions from Acetobacter xylinum

A cellular phenol-water extract of Acetobacter xylinum NRC 17007 was fractionated on Sepharose 4 B. The fraction eluting with the void volume consisted to about 95% of glycogen-like material. The lipopolysaccharide fraction was of lower molecular weight and had the following composition (%, w/w): Mannose, 42; glucose, 7; galactose, 3.8; heptose, 2; 2-keto-3-deoxy-octonate, 1.2; glucosamine, 3.3; phosphate, 4.5; total fatty acids, 3.9. Among the fatty acids, 3-hydroxy-tetradecanoic acid was present, and 2-hydroxy-hexadecanoic acid predominated.