Isolation & Partial Characterization Of The Capsule Produced By Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Abstract

The capsule of Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains JS1 and JS3 was extracted according to the procedure of Wolfgang Casper (1937). The extracted products were biologically and biochemically characterized. The extracts were comprised primarily of carbohydrate and other constituents detected are ribonucleic acids, protein, 1ipopolysaccharide, phosphorus, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate. The presence of these impurities has greatly interfered with the identification of the specific polysaccharide components. Examination of Neisseria gonorrhoeae by scanning electron microscopy indicated that extracellular material was stabilized by low temperatures. In order to maximize the amount of extracted polysaccha ride, the bacterial suspensions were refrigerated whenever possible during the purification procedure.