*For correspondence - arungoyl@iitg.ernet.in
The water soluble polysaccharide was enzymatically synthesized from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1149 using partially purified glycosyltransferases (13.0 U/mg). The average molecular weight of the polysaccharide was found to be 7.2 x 106. It was structurally characterized using FTIR, NMR spectroscopy and SEM analysis. The FTIR spectrum displayed the presence of hydroxyl stretching and vibrations in polysaccharide showing the presence of glycosidic bonds. The structure of polysaccharide as revealed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectra was linear levan containing β-(2→6) linkages. The SEM analysis revealed its porous structure displaying its importance as water binding agent. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay of levan on cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines revealed it as non-toxic biocompatible polysaccharide showing that it can be used in drug delivery and in other biomedical applications.
Levan, FTIR, NMR, Cytotoxicity, HeLa
