Patent ID: 8921077

Claim:
A method of producing a diutan gum comprising: introducing a coding sequence comprising DNA that encodes SEQ. ID No. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, and 43, or an at least 95% homologous sequence, that encodes diutan biosynthetic enzymes into a host diutan producing Sphingomonas organism; culturing the host organism under fermentation conditions, whereby the host organism produces a diutan gum which exhibits at least one of the following characteristics: a) an intrinsic viscosity of greater than 150 dL/g; b) a sea water 3 rpm viscosity greater than 35 dial reading; c) a sea water 0.3 rpm viscosity greater than 35,000 centipoise; and d) a low shear rate viscosity in the presence of polyethylene glycol dispersant of greater than 3500 centipoise, wherein the sea water viscosity and low shear rate viscosity tests are performed using the concentrations and conditions explained herein under the heading “Diutan Rheology in Applications Tests.”