Structure determination of a novel uronic acid residue isolated from the exopolysaccharide produced by a bacterium originating from deep sea hydrothermal vents.

The exopolysaccharide produced by the bacterium Alteromonas sp. strain 1644 originating from deep sea hydrothermal vents was shown to contain a novel glucuronic acid derivatives: 3-O-[(R)-1-carboxyethyl]-D-glucuronic acid. The structure of this compound was established on the basis of mass spectrometric data, methylation analysis, preparation of derivatives, and chemical synthesis of references compounds.