[Assimilation of insoluble beta mannan by a strain of Streptomyces from the soil].

A strain of Streptomyces hydrolysing the insoluble beta (1 leads to 4) mannan has been isolated from a soil of palm plantation. The first step in the degradation of the polysaccharide is a random hydrolysis by a beta mannanase, leading to mannotetra-, mannotri- and mannobiose. Liberation of free mannose is never observed. The hydrolysing pattern of oligomannosides and of their reduced homologues has been studied and a transfert reaction is postulated. This mannanase behaves as a true endopolysaccharidase.