These amounts are usually small. Since dextran is precipitable with lower concentrations of alcohol than those needed for levan, this provides a convenient method for the recovery of either one free of the other (HAMDY et al., 1954). Dextran produced using the whole-culture method (LEATHERS, 2002; ROBYT, 1985; ALSOP, 1983) may have the cell debris removed through centrifugation. This conventional process has the disadvantage of propagating cells in comparison to a cell-free culture in which the cells are centrifuged prior to dextran production.