Viscous product from activated sludge by methanol fermentation.

Aeration of activated sludge with 3 to 4% added methanol for 5 to 7 days yields an odorless, highly viscous (5,000 to 10,000 centipoise), black, pudding-like product containing glycan(s) linked other than alpha-1-4 or beta-1-3. Backseeding gives maximum thickening in 3 to 4 days. Incomplete acid hydrolysis of the black product gives a 0.27% solution of reducing sugars (75% glucose) which is an 11.4% yield from the added methanol. Backseeding into either centrifuge supernatant or 0.1% yeast extract in tap water gives a light-colored polymer. Viscosity decreases during extended sterile cold storage. A 5% salt addition lowers viscosity one-half. From 6 to 12 colony types appear on plating backseeded media, but none of these isolates is a reliable polymer former.