Preliminary Methods for Identification of bacterial alginate or uronic acid containing polysaccharides in Azotobacter and other species

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the simple techniques employed in detection of uronic acid with rapidity and ease. Many advanced analytical techniques are being employed nowadays with much accuracy but in preliminary studies simple methods are more preferable as it is helpful to give proper direction for future research. Methods discussed in this paper are Carbazole, Blumenkrantz and Asboe-Hansen, UV-vis spectral analysis and TLC (Thin layer Chromatography). Four bacterial cultures (Azotobacter vinelandii, Azotobacter chroococcum, Pseudomonas species and unidentified culture) were studied and the presence of uronic acid was detected in their secreted polysaccharides. Presence of uronic acid was detected by all the methods for all the cultures used except the unidentified culture which showed no results in TLC. From the M:G ratio it is concluded that Azotobacter vinelandii has more guluronic acid whereas Pseudomonas species was found to be showing maximum content of mannuronic acid.