The structure of a polysaccharide from infectious strains of Burkholderia cepacia

The structure of an acidic exopolysaccharide (EPS) from eight strains of Burkholderia cepacia has been investigated by methylation and sugar analysis, periodate oxidation–Smith degradation, and partial acid-hydrolysis. An enzyme preparation obtained from the same organisms producing the EPS was also used to depolymerize the polysaccharide. Detailed NMR studies of the chemical and enzymatic degradation products showed that this EPS consists of a highly branched heptasaccharide-repeating unit with the following structure:Download : Download full-size imageAbout three O-acetyl groups per repeating unit are present at undetermined positions.