Production of Levan from Paenibacillus polymyxa in Date Syrup and analyzing of levan composition by TLC

Abstract

Levan, an exopolysaccharide, was produced by Paenibacillus polymyxa and its yield was characterized as a function of concentrations of date syrup and sucrose. The optimum condition for levan production from sucrose was in a concentration of 20% at 37°C, pH 7for 48 hrs and the same conditions for date syrup. Under these conditions in sucrose medium levan production reached to 48 g/L and total carbohydrates were 95.8% while for date syrup was reached to 24g/L and total carbohydrates were 69%. Levan was composed mainly of fructose residues when analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC). Date syrup is a cheap substrate widely available in Iraq and has potential for levan production.