STRUCTURAL-ANALYSIS OF PHOSPHOLIPIDS AND GLYCOLIPIDS IN EXTREMELY HALOPHILIC ARCHAEBACTERIA

The use of chemical analysis, chromatography and spectral analysis (in cluding FTIR, NMR, FAB-MS and CI-MS) in determining the chemical struc tures of some phospholipids and glycolipids in extremely halophilic ar chaebacteria is reviewed. Examples include the recently revised struct ure of the major phospholipid (phosphatidylglycerolmethylphosphate) in Halobacteria and other extreme halophiles, a novel his-sulfated glyco lipid in an extreme halophile from Japan and an unusual diglucosyl gly colipid in haloalkaliphilic archaebacteria from India. Limitations in some of the structural analysis procedures are discussed.