Immunochemical characterization of the capsular polysaccharide of Azospirillum irakense KBC1.

The repeating unit structure of Azospirillum irakense KBC1 capsular polysaccharide (CPS) was established and was found to be identical to that of the O polysaccharide of A. irakense KBC1 lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The antigenic heterogeneity of the LPS and the CPS was shown to be related to differences in the macromolecular organization of these glycopolymers. After an immune response activation, R-form CPS molecules were found to be predominant.