POLAR LIPIDS AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF THERMUS STRAINS FROM NEW-ZEALAND

The polar lipids and fatty acid composition of Thermus aquaticus YT-1 and YS 041, T. filiformis Wai33 A1 and eighteen isolates from New Zeal and, several of which are attributed to T. filiformis, were compared t o complement the taxonomy of these organisms. The polar lipid patterns were essentially similar in all strains and consisted of one major ph ospholipid and one major glycolipid. The fatty acid analysis produced three basic groups corresponding to T. filiformis Wai33 A1, T. aquatic us and the third to the other New Zealand strains. The presence of hyd roxy fatty acids is reported in Thermus spp. for the first time.