[Comparative study of the lipid composition of seven species of "Micromonospora"]

Abstract

Analysis of the lipids of seven species of Micromonospora showed the constant presence of five phospholipids and three glycolipids. The phospholipids were identified as cardiolipids, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyl-inositol, mannosides of phosphatidyl-inositol, and possibly lysocardiolipids. The glycolipids were monoglucosyl-diglycerides, diglucosyl-diglycerides (with a small amount of galactosyl-glucosyl-diglycerides) and esters of fatty acids and trehalose. The simultaneous presence of glucosyl-diglycerides and trehalose esters might be specific of the genus Micromonospora. In the seven species studied, a large amount of the total fatty acids (obtained by direct saponification of the cells) consisted of iso and anteiso fatty acids. Three groups could be distinguished, having respectively iso-C15, iso-C16 and n-C17 fatty acids as the main members. A monounsaturated C17 acid has been identified as heptadec-9,10-enoic acid.