Macromolecular and solution properties of Cepacian: the exopolysaccharide produced by a strain of Burkholderia cepacia isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient

Carbohydr Res. 2003 Sep 1;338(18):1861-7. doi: 10.1016/s0008-6215(03)00306-9.

Abstract

Light scattering and viscosity measurements were carried out on the previously chemically characterised exopolysaccharide produced by a strain of Burkholderia cepacia isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient. The same exopolysaccharide was also produced by other clinical strains in different laboratories. Therefore, the name Cepacian is now proposed for this exopolysaccharide. Experiments performed as a function of the ionic strength on the native polymer revealed a change in the overall shape of the polymer at low ionic strength. This behaviour was absent in the de-acetylated sample. Potentiometric titrations and light scattering experiments carried out on the acidic form of the native polymer revealed the formation of macromolecular aggregates with a stoichiometry n and 2n stabilised by interactions involving the uronic acid residues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetates / chemistry
  • Burkholderia cepacia / chemistry*
  • Burkholderia cepacia / metabolism
  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Chlorates / chemistry
  • Circular Dichroism
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications
  • Cystic Fibrosis / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Molecular Weight
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sodium Hydroxide / chemistry
  • Temperature
  • Titrimetry
  • Viscosity

Substances

  • Acetates
  • Chlorates
  • Polysaccharides, Bacterial
  • cepacian
  • Sodium Hydroxide
  • sodium chlorate