Chemical characterisation of the lipopolysaccharide from Erwinia carotovora

The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Erwinia carotovora, strain IFO 14082 has been isolated and found to contain D-glucose, L-glycero-D-manno-heptose, 2- acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose and 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid. The main fatty acid components of lipid-A of the LPS are C12:0, 3-OH-C12:0, C14:0, 3 -OH-C14:0 and C16:0. The O-specific side chain (PS), obtained from the LPS, shows the presence of D-glucose and L-glycero-D-manna-heptose in a molar r atio of 7:3. The primary structural features of the O-specific side chain h ave been established by methylation analysis and Smith degradation together with H-1 and C-13 NMR spectral data.