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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1972 August; 24(2): 184-190
Copyright © 1972 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Distribution of Enzymes Forming Polysaccharide from Sucrose and the Composition of Extracellular Polysaccharide Synthesized by Streptococcus mutans

^a Environmental Mechanisms Section, National Institute of Dental Research, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20014

ABSTRACT

The distribution of polysaccharide-forming activity from sucrose was investigated in cultures of three strains of Streptococcus mutans by using an assay which conveniently determines total polysaccharide. The enzymatic activity for polysaccharide formation from sucrose is almost exclusively extracellular. The ratio of the fructan to glucan in the polysaccharide differs among the three strains investigated. The enzymatic activity for the formation of polysaccharide from sucrose has been shown to be bound to the cell-free polymer itself.

¹ Deceased 1 July 1971.