Oligosaccharides produced by submerged cultures of Claviceps africana and Claviceps sorghi.

Oligosaccharides produced by submerged cultures of C. africana and C. sorghi were isolated by semipreparative HPLC. Structure of 6-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-D-glucopyranose (blastose), 1,6-bis-O-(beta-D-fructofuranosyl)-alpha-D-glucopyranoside (neokestose) and two sugar alcohols, 1-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-D-mannitol (fructosylmannitol) and 1,6-bis-O-(beta-D-fructofuranosyl)-D-mannitol (bisfructosylmannitol) was determined by NMR spectrometry. MALDI TOF MS analysis revealed molecular ions [M+Na]+ that indicate the presence of other tetra- and pentasaccharides (m/z = 689.4 and 851.5, respectively) and corresponding sugar alcohol (m/z = 691.4). Rapid conversion of sucrose into series of oligosaccharides and corresponding sugar alcohols was observed in all tested strains.