Culture conditions for production and purification of bioabsorbent from Alcaligenes latus B-16

Glucose and sucrose were favorable carbon sources for the production of bioabsorbent from Alcaligenes latus B-16. Yeast extract at a concentration of 0.5% was also an effective medium for growth. Biopolymers from A. latus B-16 were purified, and the biopolymers were separated into two types of biopolymers: a high-molecular weight component (acid-biopolymer) and a low-molecular weight component (neutral-biopolymer). These two types of biopolymers were shown to be homogeneous on electrophoresis and GPC (Gel Permeation Chromatography on HPLC). The high-molecular weight component was bioabsorbent, and was able to absorb water at more than 1,000 times its own weight. The total yield of acid- and neutral-biopolymers from A. latus B-16 was 20–25 g (dry weight) per liter of culture broth, and they were produced at a ratio of 20:1 (acid:neutral).