Changes in Fatty Acid Composition of Chromohalobacter israelensis with Varying Salt Concentrations

The adaptation of fatty acid composition of Chromohalobacter israelensis, a euryhalophilic bacterium, grown at different salt concentrations was studied. C. israelensis tolerated NaCl up to concentrations of 20% (w/v) and showed optimal growth at 7% (w/v). Major fatty acids of this bacterium were palmitic acid (16:0), stearic acid (18:0), palmetoleic acid (16:1cis9), and cis-vaccenic acid (18:111). The salt concentration strongly influenced the fatty acid composition. In the presence of sub-optimal salt concentrations, the degree of saturation decreased, suggesting the importance of salt in maintaining the osmotic balance of the cell with its environment.