Process for the production of dextran polymers of controlled molecular size and molecular size distributions

摘要

A process for the production of dextran polymers of controlled average number molecular weight sizes, and molecular weight size distributions via the mixed culture fermentation of Leuconostoc mesenteroides and a constitutive mutant microorganism capable of elaborating the enzyme dextranase, particularly Lipomyces starkeyi ATCC 74054, in the presence of sucrose. The Leuconostoc mesenteroides produces the dextran polymer, and the mutant Lipomyces starkeyi ATCC 74054 concurrently produces dextranase, an enzyme whose activity reduces the size of the dextran polymers and permits their growth or reduction in molecular weight size in direct relation to the temperature and time period regimen imposed as conditions for the reactions.