Structural determnation of the capsular polysaccharide produced by Klebsiella pneumoniae serotype K40

Abstract
The Klebsiella pneumoniae K40 capsular polysaccharide has been isolated and investigated by use of methylation analysis, specific degrations and NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide was depolymerised by a bacteriophage‐associated endogalactosidase, and the resulting oligosaccharide was characterised by one‐dimensional and two‐dimensional NMR spectroscopy and direct chemical ionisation MS. The repeating unit of the K40 capsular polysaccharide was shown to be a linear hexasaccharide with the composition (Rha, rhamnose).