Biomaterial Database

Biosynthesis of levan and a new method for the assay of levansucrase activity. 1971

M Ceska

The polysaccharide levan was synthesized in a solidified agar medium containing sucrose as a source of fructose. The biosynthesis was achieved by the enzyme levansucrase (2,6-fructan-d-glucose 6-fructosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.10), a small quantity of which was placed in circular wells cut in the agar gel. The enzyme slowly diffused through the agar-sucrose medium and the synthesis of levan was observed as circular white areas, the size of which was dependent on the time of incubation and the concentration of enzyme used.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008722	Methods	A series of steps taken in order to conduct research.	Techniques,Methodological Studies,Methodological Study,Procedures,Studies, Methodological,Study, Methodological,Method,Procedure,Technique
D011134	Polysaccharides	Long chain polymeric CARBOHYDRATES composed of MONOSACCHARIDES linked by glycosidic bonds.	Glycan,Glycans,Polysaccharide
D005782	Gels	Colloids with a solid continuous phase and liquid as the dispersed phase; gels may be unstable when, due to temperature or other cause, the solid phase liquefies; the resulting colloid is called a sol.
D006602	Hexosyltransferases	Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of hexose groups. EC 2.4.1.-.
D000362	Agar	A complex sulfated polymer of galactose units, extracted from Gelidium cartilagineum, Gracilaria confervoides, and related red algae. It is used as a gel in the preparation of solid culture media for microorganisms, as a bulk laxative, in making emulsions, and as a supporting medium for immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis.
D013291	Streptococcus	A genus of gram-positive, coccoid bacteria whose organisms occur in pairs or chains. No endospores are produced. Many species exist as commensals or parasites on man or animals with some being highly pathogenic. A few species are saprophytes and occur in the natural environment.
D013395	Sucrose	A nonreducing disaccharide composed of GLUCOSE and FRUCTOSE linked via their anomeric carbons. It is obtained commercially from SUGARCANE, sugar beet (BETA VULGARIS), and other plants and used extensively as a food and a sweetener.	Saccharose