LIPIDS OF SARCINA LUTEA. I. FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF THE EXTRACTABLE LIPIDS

Dependence of the Staphylococcal Volatilome Composition on Microbial Nutrition

In vitro cultivation of staphylococci is fundamental to both clinical and research microbiology, but few studies, to-date, have investigated how the differences in rich media can influence the volatilome of cultivated bacteria. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of rich media composition on the chemical characteristics of the volatilomes of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. S. aureus (ATCC 12600) and S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228) were cultured in triplicate in four rich complex media (brain heart infusion (BHI), lysogeny broth (LB), Mueller Hinton broth (MHB), and tryptic soy broth (TSB)), and the volatile metabolites produced by each culture were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography—time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOFMS). When comparing the chemical compositions of the staph volatilomes by the presence versus absence of volatiles produced in each medium, we observed few differences. However, when the relative abundances of volatiles were included in the analyses, we observed that culturing staph in media containing free glucose (BHI and TSB) resulted in volatilomes dominated by acids and esters (67%). The low-glucose media (LB and MHB) produced ketones in greatest relative abundances, but the volatilome compositions in these two media were highly dissimilar. We conclude that the staphylococcal volatilome is strongly influenced by the nutritional composition of the growth medium, especially the availability of free glucose, which is much more evident when the relative abundances of the volatiles are analyzed, compared to the presence versus absence.

Quantitation, chemical characteristics, and ultrastructure of the three outer cell wall layers of a gram-negative bacterium

The cell wall of the gram-negative marine pseudomonad (American Type Culture Collection 19855) consists of three layers: the loosely bound outer layer, the outer double-track layer, and the underlying layer. These three layers constitute 4.7, 7.9, and 6.1%, respectively, of the dry weight of the whole cells. All three layers contained protein, lipid, and carbohydrate. The loosely bound outer layer and underlying layer were lower in protein and lipid and higher in amino and nonamino carbohydrate than the outer double-track layer. All three layers contained proteins with similar amino acid compositions. Minicell-like forms attached to the ends of cells were separated with and fractionated from the units of loosely bound outer layer. Examination of negatively stained preparations by electron microscopy revealed the loosely bound outer layer to be composed largely of units ranging from 400 to 1000 nm in diameter. The outer double-track layer, by the same technique, appeared as large, usually rounded sheets, each with a distinct rim. Washing this layer changed the gross chemical composition but did not affect the bimolecular leaflet appearance in thin sections. The underlying layer, when negatively stained, appeared to be composed of a heterogeneous mixture of particles differing in size and shape. It was separated by gel filtration into a large fraction with a molecular weight range in excess of 20 x 10(6) to 40 x 10(6) and a small fraction with a lower range of molecular weight. The larger fraction contained both protein and hexosamine, whereas the smaller one contained protein and only traces of hexosamine. A cytochrome-like pigment separated with this latter fraction.

LIPIDS OF SARCINA LUTEA. II. HYDROCARBON CONTENT OF THE LIPID EXTRACTS

Albro, Phillip W. (Ft. Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Charles K. Huston. Lipids of Sarcina lutea. II. Hydrocarbon content of the lipid extracts. J. Bacteriol. 88:981-986. 1964.-The hydrocarbon fraction from Sarcina lutea lipid extracts was characterized by a combination of thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. A total of 37 components were observed by gas-liquid chromatography of this material. A breakdown of the components into classes indicated a composition consisting of 88.9% n-saturates, 1.2% monoenes, 2.1% dienes, 5.0% trienes, and 0.6% branched-saturates. Less than 0.1% of the hydrocarbon material was aromatic. No attempt was made in this study to relate the composition to either origin or function in the cell.

LIPIDS OF SARCINA LUTEA. 3. COMPOSITION OF THE COMPLEX LIPIDS

Huston, Charles K. (Fort Detrick, Frederick, Md.), Phillip W. Albro, and Gerald B. Grindey. Lipids of Sarcina lutea. III. Composition of the complex lipids. J. Bacteriol. 89:768-775. 1965.-The complex lipids from a strain of Sarcina lutea were isolated and separated into fractions on diethylaminoethyl cellulose acetate and silicic acid columns. These fractions were monitored in several thin-layer chromatography systems. The various lipid types were characterized by their behavior in thin-layer systems and by an analysis of their hydrolysis products. The fatty acid composition of the column fractions was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. A number of components (13) were separated by thin-layer chromatography and characterized. The major components were polyglycerol phosphatide (17.0%), lipoamino acids (15.1%), phosphatidyl glycerol (13.8%), and an incompletely characterized substance (15.0%). Minor constituents included phosphatidyl inositol (5.5%), phosphatidic acid (4.2%), phosphatidyl serine (2.0%), and phosphatidyl choline (1.0%). No phosphatidyl ethanolamine was observed.

Temperature-related variations in the lipid composition of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains

Growth of methicillin-susceptible and -resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus at 28 and 37 degrees C led to changes in the relative amounts of phospholipids recovered. The major phospholipids present in these strains were phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. Phosphatidylglycerol tended to occur in lower amounts in the resistant strains, but it was the major phospholipid in both methicillin-susceptible and -resistant S. aureus strains. Growth patterns and total lipid concentrations were similar in all strains.

Fatty acid composition of gliding bacteria: oral isolates of Capnocytophaga compared with Sporocytophaga

The extractable and bound lipids and cellular fatty acids of the gram-negative gliding bacteria, Capnocytophaga sputigena, C. gingivalis, and C. ochracea were compared to the non-host-related gliding bacterium Sporocytophaga myxococcoides. The extractable lipids represented between 17 and 28% of the cell dry weight, whereas only 2 to 4% of the lipids were in the bound fraction. The methyl esters of the cellular fatty acids were mainly aC15:0, which accounted for 69 to 73% of the total extractable fatty acids; S. myxococcoides had a similar distribution of branched-chain fatty acids; however, aC17:0 was the predominant fatty acid in this free-living gliding organism.

The effect of temperature on the fatty acid and phospholipid composition of Cephalosporium falciforme and Cephalosporium kiliense

The effect of temperature on the lipid composition of Cephalosporium falciforme and Cephalosporium kiliense, causative agents of maduromycosis, was investigated. The fungi were grown at 28.5 C and 37 C in a chemically defined medium. The lipids were solvent extracted, purified on Sephadex, and separated into their component classes by silicic acid column chromatography. Five lipid classes were found: (a) sterol esters, (b) triacylglycerides, (c) free fatty acids, (d) sterols, and (e) phospholipids. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography. Temperature induced changes of varying degrees occurred in both the fatty acid and phospholipid fractions of each organism.

A chemically defined medium for cephalosporin C production by Paecilomyces persicinus

A chemically defined medium was developed for the biosynthesis of cephalosporin C by Paecilomyces persicinus Nicot strain P-10. Glucose served as the major carbon source and nitrogen was supplied by five amino acids, L-arginine, L-aspartic acid, L-glutamic acid, glycine and DL-methionine. Omission of any of the first four diminished or prevented production of cephalosporin C; omission of methionine did not. Methionine is not critical for the production of cephalosporin C in this defined medium. Production of the antibiotic was affected by the concentrations of inorganic salts employed. Biotin was required for growth and cephalosporin C synthesis. The addition of L-lysine precursors to the medium did not influence cephalosporin C levels and L-lysine itself inhibited antibiotic production. Known precursors of beta-lactam antibiotics as well as oleic acid did not affect biosynthesis of cephalosporin C. Chemical changes occurring in the defined medium revealed that glucose was efficiently utilized after 96 hours incubation whereas total soluble nitrogen levels increased following an initial sharp decrease. Mycelial weight and cephalosporin C production were both maximal after 96 hours incubation. Mycelial nitrogen was highest after 48 hours incubation whereas mycelial lipid levels were greatest after 72 hours.

Distribution of fatty acids during germination of cottonseeds

Gas chromatographic determination of the fatty acids in the seeds of cottonseed (Gossypium sp.) showed linoleic, palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids, with linoleic acid being the major component. Changes in the composition of fatty acids during various stages of germination were measured in the cotyledons and in the roots. A decrease in the content of all the fatty acids and an 8-fold increase in the moisture content of the cotyledons were observed during the 10 days of germination. There were no significant changes in the fatty acid contents of the roots with the exception of those in linoleic acid which increased by 50 percent during 4-10 days of germination. The possible significance of these changes is discussed.

Antibiogram and lipid analysis of a pigmented strain of Serratia marcescens and its nonpigmented variants

Antibiograms and lipid analyses of Serratia marcescens pigmented strain 08 and its nonpigmented variants are compared. The overall lack of significant differences between pigmented and nonpigmented strains suggests that the role of pigment formation may not be related to antibiotic susceptibility.

Distribution of fatty acids during germination of soybean seeds

Gas chromatographic determination of the fatty acids in the seeds of soybean (Glycine max) showed mainly linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids with linoleic acid being the major component. Changes in the distribution of fatty acids were measured during germination in the cotyledons and roots. A decrease in palmitic and oleic acids was observed in the cotyledons from 6 to 12 days, while linoleic acid increased during the same period. In roots also, the major fatty acid was linoleic acid, while palmitic and linolenic acids were higher in roots in comparison with the cotyledons. During the 3–12 days of germination period, no major changes in the distribution pattern of fatty acids were observed in the roots. The possible significance of these changes is discussed.

Lipid content of antibiotic-resistant and -sensitive strains of Serratia marcescens

The lipid content of antibiotic-resistant, nonpigmented strain (Bizio) and antibiotic-sensitive, pigmented strain (08) of Serratia marcescens was studied. The resistant strain contains at least three times more total extractable lipid and phospholipid than the sensitive strain. Lysophosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, lecithin, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and polyglycerolphosphatide were identified in the phospholipid fractions of both strains.

Isolation and chemical composition of the cytoplasmic membrane of a gram-negative bacterium

With procedures developed previously in this laboratory, the various layers of the cell wall of a gram-negative bacterium, a marine pseudomonad (ATCC 19855), were removed completely giving rise to true protoplasts. Membranes were isolated from the protoplasts formed. After treatment with ribonuclease, deoxyribonuclease, and washing, the membranes isolated were shown by electron microscopy and chemical analysis to be essentially free from both wall material and cytoplasmic constituents. The membranes gave rise to a single compact band in a sucrose density gradient. All of the lipid and protein were found to be associated in the membrane band. Analysis showed the membranes to contain 30.5% lipid (78% of which was phospholipid), 62.8% protein, and 2% carbohydrate. The predominant phospholipid present was phosphatidylethanolamine with a lesser amount of diphosphatidylglycerol and traces of unidentified compounds.

Fatty acid composition of lipid extracts of a thermophilic Bacillus species

Fatty acids having 16 or 17 carbon atoms accounted for over 80% of the fatty acids produced by a thermophilic Bacillus species. Under most conditions, branched-chain fatty acids were more abundant than normal fatty acids. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids varied inversely with the growth temperature and was never greater than 14%. When acetate was used as a carbon source, the percentage of fatty acids having 15 or 17 carbon atoms was about twice that found when glucose was used as a carbon source. Increasing the growth temperature from 40 to 60 C resulted in a three-to fourfold increase in the ratio of the normal to branched-chain hexadecanoic acids. Two normal hexadecenoic acids were found and their relative abundance was influenced by the growth temperature.

Comparison of the fatty acids of proteolytic type B and nonproteolytic types E and F of Clostridium botulinum

Lipids were extracted from vegetative cells and spores of Clostridium botulinum. The total lipids extracted averaged approximately 3.8% of the dry weight of vegetative cells and 2.5% of the dry weight of spores of types 61E, "F," and 115B. The fatty acids were analyzed in the form of their methyl esters by gas-liquid chromatography. Infrared spectroscopy, mercuric acetate fractionation, and silver nitratethin layer chromatography served as complementary means of analysis. The total fatty acids included straight chain, saturated, unsaturated, and cyclopropane acids. Hexadecanoic and tetradecanoic acids were the predominant acids in both the spores and vegetative cells. Together, they comprised over 50% of the total fatty acids. Unsaturated acids were the second major group. These were primarily 7,8-tetradecenoic, 9,10-hexadecenoic, 7,8-hexadecenoic, 11,12-octadecenoic, and 9,10-octadecenoic acids. Nonproteolytic types 61E and "F" possessed an 18-carbon diunsaturate, which was not found in the vegetative cells or spores of proteolytic type 115B. A mechanism for the synthesis of unsaturated and cyclopropane acids was proposed.

Lipids of Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells grown on hydrocarbons and on trypticase soy broth

Lipids were extracted from cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa grown on a pure hydrocarbon (tridecane), mixed hydrocarbons (JP-4 jet fuel), and on Trypticase Soy Broth. Total lipids produced from each substrate represented from 7.1 to 8.2% of cellular dry weight, of which 5.0 to 6.4% were obtained before cellular hydrolysis (free lipids) and 1.7 to 2.0% were extracted after cellular hydrolysis (bound lipids). Free lipids from cells grown on each medium were separated into four fractions by thin-layer chromatography. All fractions were present in cells from each type of medium, and the "neutral fraction" constituted the largest fraction. The fatty acid composition of free lipids was determined by gas-liquid chromatography. Cells grown on each medium contained saturated and unsaturated C(14) to C(20) fatty acids. Trace amounts of C(13) fatty acids were found in tridecane-grown cells. Saturated C(16) and C(18) were the major acids present in all cells. Quantitative differences were found in fatty acids produced on the three media, but specific correlations between substrate carbon sources and fatty acid content of cells were not evident. Tridecane-grown cells contained only traces of C(13) acid and small amounts of C(15) and C(17) acids, suggesting that the organism's fatty acids were derived from de novo synthesis rather than by direct incorporation of the hydrocarbon.

Fatty acid and aliphatic hydrocarbon composition of Sarcina lutea grown in three different media

Sarcina lutea was grown in Trypticase Soy Broth, Nutrient Broth, and a chemically defined medium. Gas chromatographic analysis of lipid components demonstrated that the composition of the medium had an effect on the relative per cent composition of the aliphatic hydrocarbons and fatty acids present in the cells. The branched olefinic hydrocarbons from the organisms grown in Trypticase Soy Broth showed no predominance or only a slight predominance of odd-numbered carbon chains, whereas the hydrocarbons from cells grown in the other two media showed an obvious predominance of odd-numbered carbon chains. The monocarboxylic fatty acid content and distribution showed only minor differences, with all normal saturated fatty acids present in relatively small quantities for cells grown in Nutrient Broth and in a chemically defined medium.

Identification of fatty acids and aliphatic hydrocarbons in Sarcina lutea by gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The composition and nature of the fatty acids and hydrocarbons of Sarcina lutea were elucidated by gas chromatography and by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The distribution of fatty acids found in S. lutea showed two families of pairs, or dyads, of saturated monocarboxylic acids (C12-C18) with and without methyl branching. These pairs of fatty acids showed a pattern of iso and anteiso structures for C13, C15, and C17, and iso and normal structures for C12, C14, and C16. Only the C18 showed unsaturation. The distribution of hydrocarbons in the range C22-C29 showed two families of tetrads of unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbons all showing methyl branching. Each tetrad was composed of four isomers identified as two iso olefins and two anteiso olefins. The only difference between the tetrads pertaining to different families was found in the relative gas chromatographic retention times of the last two components of each group.

14-C incorporation into the fatty acids and aliphatic hydrocarbons of Sarcina lutea

An initial investigation into the mechanism of hydrocarbon biosynthesis in Sarcina lutea was performed by measuring the amounts of (14)C incorporated into the hydrocarbons and fatty acids by use of a combination gas chromatograph and high-temperature gas-flow ionization apparatus. Uniformly labeled l-isoleucine-(14)C was predominantly incorporated into the anteiso-branched chains. Palmitate-16-(14)C gave evidence that a direct correlation may exist between the nonpolar end of the palmitate and the biosynthesis of hydrocarbons and carotenoids. The label from palmitate-1-(14)C was incorporated into the various hydrocarbon groups as a compound, derived from the polar end of the palmitate, consisting of more than two carbon atoms. Palmitate-16-(14)C and -1-(14)C gave no detectable evidence that transformed products were incorporated into other fatty acids. Sodium acetate-2-(14)C and uniformly labeled l-leucine-(14)C gave evidence of a nonspecific incorporation into both the aliphatic hydrocarbons and fatty acids of Sarcina lutea.

Fatty acid and aliphatic hydrocarbon composition of Sarcina lutea grown in three different media

Sarcina lutea was grown in Trypticase Soy Broth, Nutrient Broth, and a chemically defined medium. Gas chromatographic analysis of lipid components demonstrated that the composition of the medium had an effect on the relative per cent composition of the aliphatic hydrocarbons and fatty acids present in the cells. The branched olefinic hydrocarbons from the organisms grown in Trypticase Soy Broth showed no predominance or only a slight predominance of odd-numbered carbon chains, whereas the hydrocarbons from cells grown in the other two media showed an obvious predominance of odd-numbered carbon chains. The monocarboxylic fatty acid content and distribution showed only minor differences, with all normal saturated fatty acids present in relatively small quantities for cells grown in Nutrient Broth and in a chemically defined medium.

Aliphatic hydrocarbons and fatty acids of some marine and freshwater microorganisms

Gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry have been used to study the fatty acids and hydrocarbons of a bacterium from the Pacific Ocean, Vibrio marinus, a freshwater blue-green alga, Anacystis nidulans, and algal mat communities from the Gulf of Mexico. Both types of microorganisms (bacteria and algae) showed relatively simple hydrocarbon and fatty acid patterns, the hydrocarbons predominating in the region of C-17 and the fatty acids in the range of C-14 to C-18. The patterns of V. marinus were more comparable to those of the algal populations than to patterns reported for other bacteria. An incomplete correlation between fatty acids and hydrocarbons in both types of organisms was observed, making it difficult to accept the concept that the biosynthesis of hydrocarbons follows a simple fatty acid decarboxylation process.

Fatty acids of extractable and bound lipids of Rhodomicrobium vannielii

Cells of Rhodomicrobium vannielii grown at 29 C in a lactate-containing medium were extracted at room temperature with organic solvents. The extractable fraction contained the bulk of the simple lipid (1.87% of cell dry weight) and complex lipids (phospholipids, 4.2%; sulfolipid, 0.01%), coenzyme Q (0.09%), and pigments (carotenoids 1.2%; bacteriochlorophyll, 1.9%). The cell residue contained the bound lipids (nonpolar fatty acid fraction, 1.86%; polar hydroxy fatty acids, 0.49%). The residue also contained poly-beta-hydroxybutyric acid (0.2%), which was extracted in boiling chloroform. In both the simple and complex lipids, vaccenic acid (11-octadecenoic acid) was the largest single component (approximately 90% in each fraction). The fatty acids of the bound lipid contained 35% vaccenic acid, even- and odd-numbered saturated and unsaturated straight-chain fatty acids, cyclopropane-, branched-, and alpha- and beta-hydroxy fatty acids. The extractable lipids contained only straight-chain saturated and unsaturated even-numbered fatty acids. Nearly 60% of hydroxy fatty acid fraction was alpha-hydroxydodecanoic acid (24%) and beta-hydroxydodecanoic acid (34.5%). Coenzyme Q was crystallized and identified as Q(9) on the basis of melting point and chromatographic properties. Q(10) had been previously reported.

Complex lipids of Rhodomicrobium vannielii

Eight components, seven of which contained phosphorus, were found in the phospholipid fraction of Rhodomicrobium vannielii. The major components were lipoamino acid (o-ornithine ester of phosphatidyl glycerol, 46.5%) and phosphatidyl choline (26.5%). The other six components were phosphatidyl glycerol (9.7%), bisphosphatidic acid (6.7%), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (4.5%), phosphatidic acid (1.8%), lysophosphatidyl glycerol-o-ornithine ester (3.2%), and N,N-ornithine amide of unidentified fatty acid (0.95%). Total phospholipid accounted for 4.2% of cell dry weight. The major fatty acid was vaccenic acid, C(18:1), which accounted for approximately 90% of the total fatty acids of the complex lipid fraction. The other four fatty acids were C(16:0) (6.25%), C(18:0) (3.8%), C(14:0) (0.7%), and C(16:1) (0.35%). The sulfolipid content was 0.01% of the cell dry weight or 0.14 mumoles per g of dried cells, assuming that its fatty acid component is vaccenic acid. No steroids were detected.

Role of lipid in the protection of Staphylococcus aureus against trichlorophenol in mixed culture

The sensitivities of Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella schottmuelleri, Aerobacter aerogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus to 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol in sodium borate were studied. It was demonstrated that these gram-negative organisms can protect S. aureus from the effect of the phenol in mixed culture. There is a direct correlation between this protective effect and the quantity of total lipid extracted from the gram-negative organisms. The distribution coefficient between trichlorophenol and the lipid of the cells is related to the sensitivity and capacity to protect S. aureus in mixed culture. Hydrogen bonding between the cell's lipid and the phenolic compound is discussed as a possible mechanism which determines a cell's response to the inhibitor.