POLAR LIPIDS OF HYDROCARBON-OXIDIZING BACTERIA

The polar lipids of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria from various genera were studied. All the rhodococci contain specific lipids - trehalose mycolates. Cells of Arthrobacteria and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus con tain a substantial amount of unidentified glycolipids. No species-spec ific features were detected in the glycolipid and phospholipid distrib utions. An unusual fatty acid content was noted in freshly isolated Ar ctic rhodococci. The mycolic acids of Arctic rhodococci are represente d by compounds from C32 UP to C40. All the strains contain significant amounts of monoenoic mycolic acids, and three also have dienoic acids as well. It is concluded that the unique fatty acid composition of Ar ctic bacteria is associated with the conditions of the habitat, and ad aptation to the laboratory medium leads to the production of ''typical '' spectra.