Formation of a Polysaccharide in Sugar-Cane

Abstract

The isolation of a polysaccharide from harvested, stored sugar-cane is described. The polysaccharide is characterized by a low content of 1,6-linkages (29 per cent. approx.) and a relatively high content of 1,4-linkages (60 per cent. approx.) which values are unusual for a dextran. It is susceptible to attack by certain amylases, yielding oligosaccharides, This type of polysaccharide has been isolated only from sugar-cane and the Leuconostoc associated with it yields normal dextran when cultured under a variety of conditions.