Sucrose utilization and dextran production by leuconostoc mesenteroides isolated from the sugar industry

摘要

The physical and chemical characteristics of sugarcane juice make it an excellent substrate for the development of a great variety of microorganisms. Their metabolic characteristics are responsible for sucrose degradation and the incorporation into the juoice of products resulting from the cellular metabolism like lactic and acetic acid, ethanol, mannitol and dextran and levan polysaccharides. This effect occurs throughout the sugarcane process. This rich microbial flora originates in the soil and includes bacteria, fungus and yeast.