Immunochemical studies on levans from several strains of Actinomyces viscosus

High molecular-weight levans elaborated by 8 separate strains of Actinomyces viscosus were purified; the interactions of these levans with concanavalin A and anti-fructan myeloma immunoglobulins UPC-10 and J606 were examined by the quantitative precipitin method. Oligosaccharides released from the levans by partial acid hydrolysis were separated by partition chromatography on paper and characterized in situ by selective spray reagents. The liberated oligomers were compared with oligomers of known structure released from levans of Aerobacter levanicum and Leuconostoc mesenteriodes B512 as well as with plant inulin. The fragmentation analysis indicated a structure for Actinomyces levans comprising chains of β(2 → 6)-linked fructofuranosyl units joined through multiple (1,2,6)-linked fructosyl branch units.