FATTY-ACID AND POLAR LIPID-COMPOSITION OF THE GENUS AMYCOLATOPSIS - APPLICATION OF FAST-ATOM-BOMBARDMENT MASS-SPECTROMETRY TO STRUCTURE-ANALYSIS OF UNDERIVATIZED PHOSPHOLIPIDS

Phospholipid patterns of 15 representative strains of the genus Amycol atopsis were recorded by two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography. Th e structure analysis of the isolated phospholipids was verified by fas t atom bombardment-mass spectroscopy. The positive- and negative-ion s pectra of the partially purified phospholipid fractions qualitatively reflect their distinctive composition. All strains contained diphospha tidyl-glycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylinositol. Two di fferent types of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylmethylethano lamine were detected, viz., compounds with or without hydroxy fatty ac ids. These phospholipid patterns underline the integrity of the genus. Fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry analysis of phospholipid patt erns may serve as an aid for differentiation of bacterial species.