Isolation and Characterization of a New γ-Polyglutamic Acid Producer, Bacillus mesentericus MJM1, from Korean Domestic Chungkukjang Bean Paste

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 59 - 65
• Main Authors: Zhao, Xin-Qing (Myongji University, Yongin, Republic of Korea), Park, K.H. (Myongji University, Yongin, Republic of Korea), Jin, Y.Y. (Myongji University, Yongin, Republic of Korea), Lee, I.H. (Kookmin University, Seoul, Republic of Korea), Yang, Y.Y. (Myongji University, Yongin, Republic of Korea), Suh, J.W. (Myongji University, Yongin, Republic of Korea), E-mail: jwsuh@mju.ac.kr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Seoul Korean Society for Applied Microbiology 01.02.2005
• Subjects: Bacillus mesentericus; Biological and medical sciences; BIOPOLIMEROS; BIOPOLYMERE; BIOPOLYMERS; Biotechnology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gamma-GTP (gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase); gamma-PGA (poly-gamma-glutamic acid); rolling-circle replication (RCR) plasmid; Glutamic acid; Polymer; Bacillus mesentericus; Bacillaceae; rolling-circle replication (RCR) plasmid; γ-GTP (γ- glutamyltranspeptidase); Characterization; Plasmid; Bacillales; γ-PGA (poly-γ-glutamic acid); Biopolymer; Bacteria; Isolation; Replication
• ISSN: 1017-7825

Poly-γ-glutamic acid (PGA) is an unusual anionic polypeptide and has great potential as an environmentally and industrially significant biodegradable material. A new γ-PGA producer, Bacillus mesentericus MJM1, with high production capacity was isolated from Korean domestic Chungkuckjang bean paste. It produced γ-PGA at the level of 10 g/l in suitable media. The viscosities of 5% initially extracted mucin and purified γ-PGA solutions were 660 cps and 600 cps, respectively. The produced γ-PGA polymer consisted of 2,000 glutamic acid residues with even proportion of L and D types with molecular mass of about 200-300 kDa.