STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE MAJOR GLYCOLIPID FROM SACCHAROPOLYSPORA GENUS

A major glycolipid was isolated from the well characterized Saccharopo lyspora species, S. hirsuta, S. rectivirgula, S. erythraea and one not completely identified strain (Saccharopolyspora sp,), On the basis of sugar and methylation analysis, specific enzymatic and chemical degra dations of the carbohydrate moiety, its FAB mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy characterizations, the carbohydrate part was shown to be the glycerol linked dimannoside alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1 --> 1/3)Gro. The internal mannose residue is esterified at C-6 by one fatty acid residue, whereas another fatty acyl chain substitutes the primary methylene position of glycerol. The main fatty acyl residues a re anteiso-branched heptadecanoic acid and the iso-branched fatty acid s iso-17:0, iso-16:0, and iso-18:0, with the former species being pred ominant. The major glycolipid has potential value for taxonomic and di agnostic purposes, especially in the specific diagnosis of farmer's lu ng disease. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.