Phospholipid fatty acid and lipopolysaccharide fatty acid signature lipids in methane-utilizing bacteria

• Published in: FEMS microbiology ecology Vol. 85; no. 1; pp. 15 - 22
• Main Authors: Bowman, J P, Skerratt, J H, Nichols, P D, Sly, LI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.1991
• Subjects: Methylococcus
• ISSN: 0168-6496
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1097(91)90627-M

The phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -- hydroxy fatty acids of a variety of methane-utilizing bacterial strains -- were analysed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Type I methanotroph PLFA profiles contained a number of unusual monenoic 16-carbon fatty acids. Significant levels of 16:1 omega 8c were found in Methylomonas methanica (41%), Methylomonas fodinarum (26%), Methylomonasaurantiaca (30%) and "Methylomonas agile " (14%). High levels of 16:1 omega 6c, 16:1 omega 5c and 16:1 omega 5t were also detected in most Methylomonas and Methylococcus strains. The type II methanotroph "Methylosinus trichosporium " possessed the unusual PLFA 18:1 omega 8c as its major polar lipid. Certain type II methanotrophs contained ( omega -1)-OH fatty acids with chain lengths varying from 26 to 30 carbon atoms.