Production of a new polysaccharide with Cryptococcus laurentii var. flavescens.

Conditions were investigated for the production of a new gum by the yeast Cryptococcus laurentii var. flavescens NRRL Y-1401 in shaken flasks and 20-liter fermentors. The most suitable medium contained 6% commercial glucose, 0.25% autolyzed brewer's yeast, and 0.001% MnSO(4) and had an initial pH of 6.5. Polysaccharide yields, as measured by the dry weight of the alcohol precipitates, were in the range of 30 to 35% based on initial glucose.