The separation of alginate biosynthesis and acetylation in Pseudomonas syringae

Seaweed alginate was acetylated by resting cells of Pseudomonas syringae subsp. phaseolicola ATCC 19304. Physiological studies on this strain and its UV-induced mutants showed no correlation between bacterial alginate biosynthesis and acetylation. Specific yields of alginate and degree of acetylation in these polymers varied with strain and culture medium. This was indirect evidence that alginate biosynthesis is separate from polysaccharide acetylation. It indicated that the enzyme system involved in alginate biosynthesis was not directly linked to alginate acetylation and explained why microbial acetylation of seaweed alginates was possible.