Microorganism isolated from chinese elm (Ulmus sp.) and process for preparing exopolysaccharides by employing the microorganism

摘要

The present invention relates to a novel Enterobacter sp. strain SSYL deposited under accession number KCTC 0687BP isolated from the root bark of Chinese elm, which produces immunostimulating exopolysaccharides with anticancer activity, a process for preparing the exopolysaccharides by fermenting the said microorganism in a culture medium, exopolysaccharides prepared by the process and their uses thereof. The exopolysaccharides of the invention have a molecular weight of 100,000 to 1,000,000 and consist of 40-75% of total sugar, 5-15% of total acidic sugar and 10-25% of total protein. The exopolysaccharides exhibits a high immunoenhancing activity in immune cell proliferation, direct mitogenicity and mixed lymphocyte reaction, and further a high anticancer activity in vivo by virtue of immunostimulation. Moreover, the production of the exopolysaccharides by fermentation of a microorganism, makes it possible to provide the exopolysaccharides with a uniform quality and mass production without destruction of the plant species. The exopolysaccharides of the subject invention have practical uses as an active ingredient for anticancer agents, immunoenhancers and foodstuffs.