Preparation of a branched heptasaccharide by bacteriophage depolymerization of Klebsiella K60 capsular polysaccharide

Bacteriophage phi 60 possesses an endoglucosidase that depolymerizes the capsular polysaccharide of Klebsiella K60 into a heptasaccharide having two single beta-D-glucopyranosyl side-chains. This bulky oligosaccharide may be used as a probe to examine the combining sites of immunoglobulins. The 1H- and 13C-n.m.r.-spectral data of the oligosaccharide are reported.