Agency:

Agricultural Research Service

December 30, 1997

The invention involves microorganism strains that convert sugar to nonfattening food ingredients either enzymatically or through fermentation. These strains of the bacterium Leuconostoc mesenteroides produce alternan, a carbohydrate polymer, which has potential commercial applications as a low-viscosity bulking agent, a food extender, and in cosmetics. In contrast, previously known bacterial strains that produce alternan also produce high amounts of the polysaccharide dextran which must be separated through difficult and costly procedures. A rapid screening technique is also described, which ensures that only the alternan-producing bacterial strains with low levels of dextran are selected.

Timothy D. Leathers	Gregory L. Cote
USDA, ARS, MWA, NCAUR	USDA, ARS, MWA, NCAUR
Peoria, Illinois 61604	Peoria, Illinois 61604
(309) 681-6377 / fax: (309) 681-6689	(309) 681-6319/ fax: (309) 681-6689
Thomas G. Hayman (former ARS)

Industry Keywords:

microorganisms, dextran, alternan, sucrose, fermentation, cosmetics, polysaccharide