Growth-Related Substituent Changes in Exopolysaccharides of Fast-Growing Rhizobia

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Abstract
Pyruvic acid and O-acetyl groups are the major noncarbohydrate substituents in exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by fast-growing species of Rhizobium . EPS substituent variations were observed among strains of the same species. The amounts of these substituents also varied with culture age; pyruvic acid increased in the EPS of all four species, whereas O -acetyl increased in Rhizobium trifolii and R. leguminosarum EPS, decreased in R. meliloti EPS, and remained constant in R. phaseoli EPS. The use of glycerol as a substrate for R. meliloti significantly increased EPS yields, whereas mannitol increased those of the other three Rhizobium species.