SULFATION AND DEPOLYMERIZATION OF A BACTERIAL EXOPOLYSACCHARIDE OF HYDROTHERMAL ORIGIN

An unusual exopolysaccharide produced by Alteromonas infernus, a heter otrophic aerobic bacteria originating from a deep-sea hydrothermal ven t, was chemically modified by sulfation and acidic depolymerization in order to promote biological activity and to evaluate its potential ap plications in the pharmaceutical area. Two experimental processes, sul fation prior to depolymerization (method I) and depolymerization prior to sulfation (method 2), were applied to this high-molecular-weight b acterial polymer. Both methods led to the recovery of highly sulfated (33-40%) low-molecular-weight, low-viscous exopolysaccharides with yie lds ranging from 25 to 50%. Similar chemical compositions were obtaine d for all depolymerized fractions. These fractions are expected to sho w biological activity and their evaluation is in progress. (C) 1998 El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.