INFLUENCE OF SALT CONCENTRATION ON THE CELLULAR FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF THE MODERATELY BALOPHILIC BACTERIUM HALOMONAS-SALINA

The cellular fatty acid composition of Halomonas saline, a moderately halophilic bacterium grown at different salt concentrations, is report ed. Fatty acids C16:0 and C18:1 were major components and significant amounts of C16:1, C18:0 and cyc-C19:0 were also detected. The results showed clear chemotaxonomic relationships with recognized members of t he genus Halomonas. The salt concentration greatly influenced the fatt y acid composition, suggesting activation of cyclopropane synthetase a t high levels of salt, since increases in cyclopropane fatty acids wit h decreases in monounsaturated fatty acids were observed as the salt c oncentration in the medium rose.