Synthetic media for production of quality xanthan gum in 20 liter fermentors

Abstract

AbstractXanthan gum is a heteropolysaccharide synthesized by Xanthomonas campestris NRRL B‐1459 and is composed of D‐glucose, D‐mannose, and D‐glucuronic acid, in addition to acetic and pyruvic acids. Different amounts of pyruvic acid ketal are found in various preparations which can influence the viscosities of dilute xanthan solutions. Polysaccharide production on synthetic media was studied in small‐scale fermentors. Fermentation conditions were established for production of both high and low pyruvic acid gums (about 4 and 2% pyruvic acid, respectively). Low nitrogen [0.1% (NH4)2HPO4] and air (0.25 vol/liter/min) levels favor production of low pyruvate gum; increasing (NH4)2HPO4 to 0.15%, adding K2HPO4, and increasing the air flow to 1.5 vol/liter/min favored production of normal gum. Both processes gave xanthan yields of 50 to 60%, based on 2.5% initial D‐glucose substrate, in two to three days. Differences in pyruvic acid content and in the quantity of gum produced under a given set of conditions were attributed to strain variability. Substrains were isolated that have desirable characteristics for production of xanthan gum; i.e., the ability to give good yields of high‐pyruvate gum when grown on both complex and synthetic media.