Cuticular wax profiles of leaves of some traditionally used African Bignoniaceae

Bignoniaceae, Newbouldia laevis, Markhamia acuminata, Spathodea campanulata and Kigelia africana were analysed by GC-MS. The principal constituents were represented by a homologous series of n-alkanes (C23-C33), n-alcohols (C18-C30) and related carboxylic acids (C16-C36). For N. laevis and M. acuminata, ursolic and oleanolic acid were the most abundant wax components (52 and 60%, respectively), followed by the C29, the C31 and the C33 n-alkanes. The predominant components of S. campanulata were n-alcohols (35%), with octacosanol and triacontanol as the most abundant ones, while K. africana is distinguished from these three members by the conspicuous absence of triterpenoic acids and the predominance of n-alkanes (70%) with hentriacontane and tritriacontane as the main representatives. Other notable constituents were sterols, albeit present in trace amounts. The wax profiles are discussed in terms of taxonomic characters.     

GC-MS studies on extracts and distillates from Posidonomia shales (FRG) and from fossil wood out of these shales

Summary In this study Posidonomia shale extracts, Posidonomia shale distillates and extracts of fossil wood (gagat) found in these shales were seperated on GC and identified by GC-MS. Samples were obtained from Dotternhausen oil shale formation (FRG) belonging to LIAS epsilon (Toarcien). Main components were n-alkanes ranging from C₇ to C₂₇ with a maximum at C₁₇ for shales and two maxima at C₁₇ and C₉ respectively for fossil wood. Isoprenoid hydrocarbons present in shales and fossil wood as well were 2,6,10-trimethyltridecane, 2,6,10-trimethylpentadecane, 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane (pristane) and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane (phytane).Numerous low molecular weight cycloalkanes with 6 to 9 carbon atoms were present in fossil wood. Of these, the main constituent could also be found in shales. Also aromatic hydrocarbon compounds were numerous in the low boiling fraction of extracts of fossil wood.The results obtained are discussed with respect to the maturity of the Dotternhausen sediments.     

The determination of n-alkanes in the cuticular wax of leaves of Ludwigia adscendens L

An n-hexane extract of fresh, mature leaves of Ludwigia adscendens, containing a thin layer of epicuticular waxes, has been analysed for the first time by TLC, IR and GC using standard hydrocarbons. The leaves contained 22 identified long chain (C15-C36) n-alkanes, accounting for 74.27% of the hydrocarbons present, and an unknown number of unidentified branched chain alkanes. The predominant n-alkane was C25 (11.02%), whilst C18 (7.62%), C20 (6.14%), C29 (5.36%) and C27 (5.29%) n-alkanes were moderately abundant: the C35 homologue was present only in minor amounts (0.22%).     

Analyses of barley spike mutant waxes identify alkenes, cyclopropanes and internally branched alkanes with dominating isomers at carbon 9

About 15% of the epidermal wax on Hordeum vulgare cv. Bonus barley spikes is n-alkanes. Longer homologues are greatly reduced in the eceriferum mutants, cer-a(6), cer-e(8), cer-n(26), cer-n(53), cer-n(985), cer-x(60), cer-yc(135) and cer-yl(187). Simultaneously hydrocarbons accounting for only traces in the wild-type become prominent in the mutants, although their chain-length distributions remain unchanged. Accordingly several new hydrocarbon series were identified. The two major ones were C(23)-C(35)cis monoenoic alkenes (the major 9-ene isomer was part of a homologous series including 11, 13 and 15-enes), and the novel C(27)-C(31) cyclopropanes (the ring carbons of major isomers were 9,10 and 11,12 with lesser amounts of 13,14). Three minor series included 2- and 3-methylalkanes plus C(25)-C(33) internally branched alkanes (methyls on carbons 9, 11, 13, 15 or 17; shorter homologues dominated by the 9 isomer, longer homologues by 11, 13 or 15 isomers). Acyl chains destined for spike waxes are synthesized via acyl and polyketide elongase systems plus associated reductive and decarbonylative/decarboxylative enzyme systems. Both elongation systems are defective in synthesizing C(32) acyl chains in all nine mutants. The similarities in the position of the chemical groups (primarily on carbon 9, secondarily on carbon 11) of the alkenes, cyclopropanes and internally branched methyl alkanes imply an origin from a common, hitherto unrecognized associated pathway in barley, designated the enoic pathway. The elongation system leading to the enoic derived hydrocarbons differs from the known elongation systems by inclusion of a mechanism for introducing a double bond.     

The cuticular hydrocarbons of the Triatoma sordida species subcomplex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

The cuticular hydrocarbons of the Triatoma sordida subcomplex (Hemiptera: Reduviidae: Triatominae) were ana-lysed by gas chromatography and their structures identified by mass spectrometry. They comprised mostly n-alkanes and methyl-branched alkanes with one-four methyl substitutions. n-alkanes consisted of a homologous series from C21-C33 and represented 33-45% of the hydrocarbon fraction; n-C29 was the major component. Methyl-branched alkanes showed alkyl chains from C24-C43. High molecular weight dimethyl and trimethylalkanes (from C35-C39) represented most of the methyl-branched fraction. A few tetramethylalkanes were also detected, comprising mostly even-numbered chains. Several components such as odd-numbered 3-methylalkanes, dimethylalkanes and trimethylalkanes of C37 and C39 showed patterns of variation that allowed the differentiation of the species and populations studied. Triatoma guasayana and Triatoma patagonica showed the most distinct hydrocarbon patterns within the subcomplex. The T. sordida populations from Brazil and Argentina showed significantly different hydrocarbon profiles that posed concerns regarding the homogeneity of the species. Triatoma garciabesi had a more complex hydrocarbon pattern, but it shared some similarity with T. sordida. The quantitative and qualitative variations in the cuticular hydrocarbons may help to elucidate the relationships between species and populations of this insect group.     

Composition of the surface hydrocarbons from the vitelline membranes of dipteran embryos

Hydrocarbons were the major lipid class extracted by hexane from the vitelline membrane surface of dechorionated eggs of the house fly, Musca domestica, the New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, the secondary screwworm, Cochliomyia macellaria, the green bottle fly, Phaenicia sericata, the sheep blow fly, Lucilia cuprina and the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens. The length of time the embryos must be exposed to hexane with or without a small amount of alcohol in order to attain permeability was species-dependant. Long-chain n-alkanes comprised the major lipid class removed from vitelline membranes of all species except A. ludens where 2-methylalkanes were the major class. The range in size by the total number of carbon atoms in the hydrocarbons was: C23-C49 in C. hominivorax, C27-C33 in C. macellaria, C24-C35 in L. cuprina, C25-C36 in M. domestica, C25-C33 in P. sericata and C21-C51 in A. ludens. The major hydrocarbon component, expressed as percent of the total hydrocarbons, was n-nonacosane (C29) in C. hominivorax (40%), C. macellaria (43%), L. cuprina (38%), M. domestica (39%) and P. sericata (60%). However, in A. ludens, 2-methyloctacosane (32%) was the major hydrocarbon. Unsaturated hydrocarbons, monoenes (16%) and dienes (11%), were abundant only in A. ludens. Since prior studies indicated that the length of time the embryos must be exposed to hexane with or without a small amount of alcohol in order to attain permeability is species dependant, we suggest that the differences in hydrocarbon composition may contribute to this variation in lipid extractability.     

Cuticular hydrocarbons of the ectoparasitic wasp Cephalonomia hyalinipennis (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae) and its alternative host,the stored product pest Caulophilus oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Cuticular hydrocarbons of an ectoparasitic wasp attacking two beetle hosts have been identified and examined for the influence of age, gender, mating status, and host on hydrocarbon composition. The 37 wasp hydrocarbons identified consisted of a series of n-alkanes (C16 to C33), 3-, 5-, 9-, 10-, 11-, and 12-methyl alkanes and a series of Z-7 and Z-9 monoenes (C23:1 to C27:1). One C25:2 diene was found. No effects of hydrocarbon composition as a function of age, gender, or mating status were found for the wasps. Wasps reared on Hypothenemus hampei, however, had 12/37 significant abundance differences to those reared on Caulophilus oryzae, although all but one of these differences were for components in less than 2% relative abundance. The C25:2 diene from wasps reared on H. hampei was present in about 10% whereas from wasps reared on C. oryzae it was present in about 2%. The hydrocarbons of one host for this wasp, the coffee berry borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), have been previously reported [Howard and Infante, Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 89:700-709 (1996)]. The hydrocarbons of the alternative host, C. oryzae (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) consists of n-alkanes (C17 to C31), 3-, 4-, 5-, 7-, 9-, 11-, 12-, 13-, 14-, and 15-methyl alkanes, and a series of dimethyl alkanes of the series 3, 17-; 5, 11-; 5, 17-; 7, 11-; 7, 13-; 13, 17-; and 15, 19-. No unsaturated hydrocarbons were found. No significant differences in hydrocarbon composition were found between male and female C. oryzae. Hydrocarbon patterns of four species of Cephalonomia are compared and shown to be species-specific. The data are discussed in terms of ecological and physiological parameters.     

Hydrocarbons of Rhodnius prolixus, a Chagas disease vector

The surface hydrocarbons of the blood-sucking insect, Rhodnius prolixus, a major Chagas disease vector in Venezuela, Colombia and Central America, were characterized by capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (CGC-MS). A total of 54 single or multicomponent peaks of saturated, straight-chain and methyl-branched hydrocarbons were identified. Major n-alkanes were n-C27, n-C29, n-C31 and n-C33 hydrocarbons. In the branched fraction, methyl groups were at positions 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 15 and 17- for monomethyl isomers, and separated by three or five methylene groups for the trimethyl or tetramethyl derivatives. For the higher molecular weight components of 37, 39 and 41 atoms in the carbon skeleton, the di-, tri- and tetramethyl branches were usually separated by three or five, and sometimes 7, 11 or 13, methylene groups. The internal hydrocarbon pool contained larger amounts of the higher molecular weight methyl-branched components. Qualitative differences among epicuticular and internal hydrocarbon compositions were detected, both in adult and nymphal stages. No significant sexual dimorphism was detected, but a significant shift in the major n-alkane components was evident from the nymphal to the adult stage, differing also in the relative amounts of the higher molecular weight methyl-branched chains. Comparison of the hydrocarbon components to that of other Chagas disease vectors is discussed.     

Specificity of Lipid Composition in Two Botryococcus Strains,the Producers of Liquid Hydrocarbons

The structure of liquid hydrocarbons and fatty acids produced by the green alga Botryococcus was identified. Two representatives of this alga, Botryococcus braunii Kütz, strain IPPAS H-252, introduced into culture earlier and an organism isolated for the first time from the Shira Lake, were used for this identification. Fatty acid composition of B. braunii, strain H-252, lipids was characterized by a high content of trienoic acids of C16–C18 series. The hydrocarbon composition of this strain was represented by straight-chain and branched-chain C14–C28 components; long-chain linear aliphatic C20–C27 hydrocarbons (54.4%) and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane (20.5%) predominated among them. The strain H-252 differed in its fatty acid and hydrocarbon composition from the strains described earlier as Botryococcus braunii. The fatty acid composition of the Botryococcus isolate was represented mainly by C12–C32 saturated and monoenoic acids. The hydrocarbons formed by this isolate were represented by dienoic and trienoic components. C29 (48.9–56.3%) and C31 (11.1–16.3%) hydrocarbons predominated among the C23–C31 dienoic hydrocarbons, and C27, C29, and C31 trienoic hydrocarbons comprised 2.5–2.6% of total hydrocarbons. This type of hydrocarbons and the lipid fatty acid composition were characteristic for the race A of B. braunii.     

Novel diterpenoids and hydrocarbons in the Dufour gland of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Chemical constituents contained in the Dufour gland of the ectoparasitoid Habrobracon hebetor (Say) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were characterized. Three terpenes, beta-springene, a homo-beta-springene, and a homo-geranyllinalool constitute approximately 37% of the gland components, with the remaining 63% all being hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons consist of a homologous series of n-alkanes (n-C21 to n-C31), a trace amount of 3-methyl C23, a homologous series of internally methyl-branched alkanes (11-methyl C23 to 13-methyl C35), one dimethylalkane (13,17-dimethyl C33), a homologous series of monoenes (C(25:1) to C(37:1)) with the double bonds located at Delta9, Delta13 and Delta15 for alkenes of carbon number 25 to 31 and at Delta13 and Delta15 for carbon numbers 33 to 37 and three homologous dienes in very low amounts with carbon numbers of 31, 32, and 33. The terpenoid and hydrocarbon composition of the Dufour gland was similar in virgin and mated females. However, in contrast to the hydrocarbons, the amount of beta-springene and homo-geranyllinalool increased significantly with time after adult emergence from the cocoon. Although many hydrocarbons in the Dufour gland are the same as those on the cuticle of this species [Howard and Baker, Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 53:1-18 (2003)], substantial differences also occur. Of particular note is the chain length of alkenes and location of the double bonds: cuticular alkenes have a chain length of C23 to C29 and double bond locations at Delta5, Delta7, and Delta9, whereas the Dufour gland alkenes contains a greater range of carbon numbers and have no Delta5 or Delta7 alkenes. The Dufour gland contains only one of the long-chain dimethylalkanes found on the cuticle. Also, no terpenoids are found on the cuticle, and the Dufour gland contains none of the secondary wax esters that are major components on the cuticle. GC-MS analysis of lipids carried in the hemolymph of H. hebetor indicated that all hydrocarbons found on both the cuticle and in the Dufour gland are present, as are some of the wax esters. However, none of the terpenoids were detected in the hemolymph. This suggests that the hydrocarbons are synthesized in other tissues or cells, probably by oenocytes, and differentially partitioned between the cuticle and the Dufour gland. The terpenoids are most likely synthesized within the Dufour gland. Analysis of surface lipids from eggs laid within 18 h indicated that no diterpenoids were present. Rather, the lipids present on the eggs were n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, alkenes, and secondary alcohol wax esters. This composition did not reflect that of the Dufour gland, hence eggs are not being coated with Dufour gland components during oviposition.     

Composition of the hydrocarbon fraction of goats' milk

The hydrocarbon fraction of the neutral lipids of goats' milk was chromatographically purified and analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The goats' milk samples, which were collected during the spring of the year, represent a cross-sectional analysis; the purified hydrocarbon fraction displays a broad spectrum of compounds. The major components of the hydrocarbon fraction identified for the first time in goats' milk were 3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-ene (phytene-2) (1.5%), squalene (approximately 2.5%), and n-C29H60 (4.2%); in addition, a series of odd and even carbon number n-alkanes (C15 to C33), a series of alkenes (C16 to C23), and a series of branched chain hydrocarbons were found. The goats' milk hydrocarbon fraction, in comparison to the known distribution from cows' milk, contains a good deal less squalene and phytene, and is more complex. One human milk hydrocarbon fraction isolated from a longitudinal composite sample from one lactation displays a distribution that appears to be more closely related to that of human skin lipids (1983. J. Lipid Res. 24: 120-130) than to those of goats' and cows' milk.     

C(25) highly branched isoprenoid alkenes from the marine benthic diatom Pleurosigma strigosum

The hydrocarbon composition of the marine diatom Pleurosigma strigosum isolated from coastal Mediterranean sediments is described. A suite of five C(25) highly branched isoprenoid (HBI) alkenes with 2-5 double bonds were detected together with n-C(21:4) and n-C(21:5) alkenes and squalene. The analysis by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy of two isolated HBI alkenes allowed the structural identification of a novel C(25) HBI triene (2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-7-(3-methylpent-4-enyl)-pentadeca-5E,13-diene) and the first identification in diatom cells of 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-7-(3-methylpent-4-enyl)-pentadec-5E-ene, an HBI previously detected in marine sediments and particulate matter. The other minor C(25) HBIs detected were a tetraene and a pentaene that have been previously identified in other diatoms from the genera Haslea and Rhizosolenia, and one other C(25) tetraene that could not be structurally identified. The structures of the HBI alkenes of P. strigosum were compared with those of C(25) homologues previously identified in three other Pleurosigma sp. (Pleurosigma intermedium, Pleurosigma planktonicum and Pleurosigma sp.). Unlike most structures previously reported, none of the HBI alkenes produced by P. strigosum showed an unsaturation at C7-C20, or E/Z isomerism of the trisubstituted double bond at C9-C10 (whenever present).     

Chemodiversity of nonacosan-10-ol and n-alkanes in the needle wax of Pinus heldreichii

This is the first report of individual variability and population diversity of the contents of nonacosan-10-ol and n-alkanes in the needle cuticular waxes of Bosnian pines originated from Montenegro, regarded as Pinus heldreichii var. leucodermis, and from Serbia, regarded as P. heldreichii var. pan?i?i. The amount of nonacosan-10-ol varied individually from 27.4 to 73.2% (55.5% in average), but differences between the four investigated populations were not statistically confirmed. The size of the n-alkanes ranged from C(18) to C(33). The most abundant n-alkanes were C(23), C(27), and C(25) (12.2, 11.2, and 10.8% in average, resp.). The carbon preference index (CPI) of the n-alkanes ranged from 0.8 to 3.1 (1.6 in average), while the average chain length (ACL) ranged from 20.9 to 26.5 (24.4 in average). Long-chain and mid-chain n-alkanes prevailed (49.6 and 37.9% in average, resp.). It was also found that the populations of P. heldreichii var. leucodermis had predominantly a narrower range of n-alkanes (C(18)-C(31)) than the trees of the variety pan?i?i (C(18)-C(33)). Differences between the varieties were also significant for most of the other characteristics of the n-alkane pattern (e.g., most abundant n-alkanes, CPI, ACL, and relative proportion of short-, mid-, and long-chain n-alkanes). The principle component and cluster analyses of eleven n-alkanes confirmed the significant diversity of these two varieties.     

Chemical characterization and physical and biological activities of rhamnolipids produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10

Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10 isolated from hydrocarbon-polluted soil was found to produce rhamnolipids when cultivated on 2% glycerol, glucose, n-hexadecane, and n-alkanes. The rhamnolipids were partially purified on silica gel columns and their chemical structures elucidated by combination of one- and two-dimensional 1H and 13C NMR techniques and ESI-MS analysis. Eight structural rhamnolipid homologues were identified: Rha-C10-C8, Rha-C10-C10, Rha-C10-C12:1, Rha-C10-C12, Rha2-C10-C8, Rha2-C10-C10, Rha2-C10-C12:1, and Rha2-C10-C12. The chemical composition of the rhamnolipid mixtures produced on different carbon sources did not vary with the type of carbon source used. The rhamnolipid mixture produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10 on glycerol reduced the surface tension of pure water from 72 to 29 mN m(-1) at a critical micellar concentration of 40 mg 1(-1), and the interfacial tension was 0.9 mN m(-1). The new surfactant product formed stable emulsions with hydrocarbons and showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The present study shows that the new strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10 demonstrates enhanced production of the di-rhamnolipid Rha2-C10-C10 on all carbon sources used. Due to its excellent surface and good antimicrobial activities the rhamnolipid homologue mixture from Pseudomonas aeruginosa BN10 can be exploited for use in bioremediation, petroleum and pharmaceutical industries.     

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.     

Isolation of Eikenella corrodens in a General Hospital

The carbon source markedly influenced the qualitative and quantitative composition of cellular hydrocarbons in Cladosporium resinae. Total lipid and hydrocarbon content was greater in cells grown on n-alkanes than in cells grown on glucose or glutamic acid. Glucose-grown cells contained a spectrum of aliphatic hydrocarbons from C(7) to C(36); pristane and n-hexadecane comprised 98% of the total. Cells grown on glutamic acid contained C(7) to C(23) hydrocarbons; n-tridecane, n-tetradecane, n-hexadecane, and pristane made up 74% of the total. n-Decane-grown cells yielded C(8) to C(32) compounds, and n-hexadecane (96%) was the major hydrocarbon. Cells grown on individual n-alkanes from C(11) to C(15) all contained C(11) to C(28) hydrocarbons, and cells grown on n-hexadecane contained C(11) to C(32) hydrocarbons. In n-undecane-grown cells, n-hexadecane and pristane made up 92% of the total, but in cells grown on C(12) to C(16)n-alkanes the major cellular hydrocarbon was the one on which the cells were grown. This suggests that cells cultured on n-alkanes of C(12) or longer accumulate n-alkanes prior to oxidizing them.     

Microbial Oxidation of Isoprenoid Alkanes,Phytane, Norpristane and Farnesane

Rhodococcus sp. BPM 1613, a pristane oxidizing microorganism, grows on isoprenoid hydrocarbons such as phytane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecane), norpristane (2,6,10-trimethylpentadecane) and farnesane (2,6,10-trimethyldodecane) as the sole carbon source, resulting in accumulation of oxidation products in the culture broth. The oxidation products of phytane, norpristane and farnesane in the respective culture broth were isolated and purified by the use of silica gel column chromatography. Their chemical structures were determined by instrumental analyses such as IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. The oxidation products of phytane were identified as 2,6,10,14-tetramethyl-1-hexadecanol and 2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadecanoic acid, the product of norpristane as 2,6,10-trimethyl-1-pentadecanol, and that of farnesane as 2,6,10-trimethyl-1-dodecanol. All these oxidation products were either monoalcohols or monocarboxylic acids derived through oxidation of the isopropyl terminus of each alkane.

In addition, the relationship between the terminal structure of isoprenoid hydrocarbons and microbial oxidation was explored on the basis of these results.     

Inhibition of lipolysis by hydrocarbons and fatty alcohols

The hydrolysis of long-chain triglyceride by pancreatic lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) is inhibited by hydrophobic solutes that are dissolved in the fat. Solutes tested included n-alkanes (C10-C16), aromatic and chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (including a PCB and DDT), n-alcohols (C10-C16), and cholesterol. Except for cholesterol, which stimulated lipolysis at low concentrations, all compounds produced roughly similar inhibition curves that followed the pattern of a typical Langmuir adsorption isotherm (Mattson, F. H., R. A. Volpenhein, and L. Benjamin, 1970. J. Biol. Chem. 245: 5335-5340). According to this interpretation, hydrophobic solutes dissolved within fat droplets partition between the interior oil phase and the surface monolayer where lipolysis occurs. Although the aromatic and chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons were approximately 25% more inhibitory than the long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, as a single class, hydrocarbons were 7-10 times weaker inhibitors of lipolysis than fatty alcohols. In contrast to the alcohols whose inhibitory action may involve several mechanisms, the hydrocarbons behaved like simple dilution inhibitors; i.e., at 50% inhibition the mass ratio of hexadecane to triglyceride was 0.42. The lack of a chain length effect indicates that the hydrocarbons are not adsorbed at the interface but interdigitate the triglyceride molecules and align parallel to the lipid acyl chains. Inhibition by hydrophobic solutes was not reversed by the presence of 4 mM taurodeoxycholate and pancreatic procolipase or colipase.     

Substrate specificity of regiospecific desaturation of aliphatic compounds by a mutant Rhodococcus strain

Substrate specificity of cis-desaturation of alipahtic compounds by resting cells of a mutant, Rhodococcus sp. strain KSM-MT66, was examined. Among substrates tested, the rhodococcal cells were able to convert n-alkanes (C13-C19), 1-chloroalkanes (C16 and C18), ethyl fatty acids (C14-C17) and alkyl (C1-C4) esters of palmitic acid to their corresponding unsaturated products of cis configuration. The products from n-alkanes and 1-chloroalkanes had a double bond mainly at the 9th carbon from their terminal methyl groups, and the products from acyl fatty acids had a double bond mainly at the 6th carbon from their carbonyl carbons.     

Three series of high molecular weight alkanoates found in Amazonian plants

Electron impact mass spectra were measured by high temperature high resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HT-HRGC-MS) for three homologous series of high molecular weight compounds present in the Amazonian plants Marupá (Simaruba amara) and Brazil nut (Bertholettia excelsa). Based on their mass spectra, the compounds were identified as three wax ester series of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), beta-tocopherol and phytol (2,6,10,14-tetramethylhexadec-14-en-16-ol). The interpretations are supported by high resolution mass spectrometry and GC retention indices of authentic standards.