BIOPOLYMERS FROM A-LATUS .3. CULTURE CONDITIONS FOR PRODUCTION AND PURIFICATION OF BIOABSORBENT FROM ALCALIGENES LATUS B-16

Glucose and sucrose were favorable carbon sources for the production o f bioabsorbent from Alcaligenes latus B-16. Yeast extract at a concent ration of 0.5% was also an effective medium for growth. Biopolymers fr om A. latus B-16 were purified, and the biopolymers were separated int o two types of biopolymers: a high-molecular weight component (acid-bi opolymer) and a low-molecular weight component (neutral-biopolymer). T hese two types of biopolymers were shown to be homogeneous on electrop horesis and GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography on HPLC). The high-mole cular weight component was bioabsorbent, and was able to absorb water at more than 1,000 times its own weight. The total yield of acid- and neutral-biopolymers from A. latus B-16 was 20-25 g (dry weight) per li ter of culture broth, and they were produced at a ratio of 20:1 (acid: neutral).