Extracellular polysaccharide production by aRhzobium sp. from root nodules ofDerris scandens

TheRhizobium sp. isolated from the root nodules of the leguminous climbing shrubDerris scandens produced a large amount of extracellular polysaccharides in a yeast extract—mannitol medium in the stationary phase of growth. The production was maximum when the medium was supplemented with mannitol (3%), (+)-biotin (3 mg/L) and KNO₃ (0.3%). The extracellular polysaccharides contained glucose, galactose and mannose. The possible role of the rhizobial extracellular polysaccharide is discussed.