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Rapid estimation of polysaccharide content in complex microbial culture media

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Abstract

A rapid gravimetric assay for estimation of polysaccharide content in complex culture media was developed and validated. The quantitative assay showed great selectivity for the determination of xylan and pectin, eliminating all interferences from other medium components. In addition, our data showed this protocol could also be applied to the estimation of other polysaccharides in liquid media such as cellulose Avicel®, chitin, starch and crude hemicellulose. Therefore, this method represents a useful tool for monitoring the in vitro microbial degradation of polysaccharides.

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Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by an AgResearch Postdoctoral Fellowship (for S. V-B.) and by the New Zealand Foundation for Research, Science & Technology (New Economy Research Fund).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AgResearch Limited, Grasslands Research Center, Tennent Drive, Private Bag 11008, , 5301, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Silas G. Villas-Bôas, Subathira Sivakumaran, Graeme Attwood, Geoffrey A. Lane & Adrian Cookson

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  1. Silas G. Villas-Bôas
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  2. Subathira Sivakumaran
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  3. Graeme Attwood
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  4. Geoffrey A. Lane
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  5. Adrian Cookson
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Correspondence to Silas G. Villas-Bôas.

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Villas-Bôas, S.G., Sivakumaran, S., Attwood, G. et al. Rapid estimation of polysaccharide content in complex microbial culture media. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 23, 873–876 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-006-9289-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11274-006-9289-z

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