Extracellular Polysaccharides From Shaken Liquid Cultures of Zea mays

Callus initiated from root and embryo of Zea mays proliferated largely through aberrant root growth. In shaken liquid cultures (liquid cultures), the callus remained as clumps of roots but some cells were released into the medium. The extracellular polysaccharides (ECPS) from these culture supernatants are similar with respect to monosaccharide and glycosyl linkage composition to the slime secreted by roots of young Zea mays seedlings but are distinguished from ECPS produced by suspension cultured cell lines of other species by their high fucose content. Callus initiated from root and embryo therefore provides a model for studies of fucosyl-containing polysaccharides secreted by seedling roots.