Preparation and chemical modification of poly-gamma-L-glutamic acid.

Poly-gamma-L-glutamic acid was synthesized in optimized fermentor cultivation of Bacillus licheniformis. The polypeptide obtained was esterified using benzyl- and butylbromides. Benzyl esters with 30, 60 and 100% degree of esterification were prepared. Solubility of the products in dimethyl sulfoxide, chloroform, methanol and in water was significantly different from these ones of original polymer.