Identification of some Neutral Lipids of Thiobacillus Thioparus Using Gas Chromatography-Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

The neutral lipid fraction of two strains of T. thioparus was examined using gas chromatographychemical ionization mass spectrometry. Both strains were found to produce fatty acid ethyl esters, long-chain alcohols and. wax esters. In addition, one strain produced substantial quantities of squalene, although no sterols or triterpenoids could be detected. However, in the second strain, although squalene was present at greatly reduced levels, cholesterol, lanosteryl acetate and 24,25-dihydrolanosteryl acetate were identified.