Physiological Factors in the Production of an Iodophilic Polysaccharide from Pentose by a Sheep Rumen Bacterium

Abstract

SUMMARY: A Gram-negative, non-flagellated, asporogenous, anaerobic, iodophilic, curved rod (2·5 μ. × 0·5 μ.) was isolated from the rumen of a sheep and designated Bacteroides amylogenes n.sp. This organism transforms a number of carbohydrates including pentoses to intracellular iodophilic polysaccharide which has been isolated and shown to be a polymer of glucose. Resting suspensions of this organism utilize this iodophilic material as a reserve substance under a variety of conditions. Bacteroides amylogenes grows optimally in vitro when bicarbonate and rumen liquor are included in the medium. On physiological and morphological grounds it is considered to be an authentic rumen bacterium. The chief fermentation product from xylose is butyric acid.