Wetting agent produced by Serratia marcescens

Abstract Serratia marcescens cultivated at 30°C was shown to produce a large amount of wetting agent, in contrast to bacteria cultivated at 37°C. The wetting agent, isolated by thin-layer chromatography was examined for surface activaties and was identified, by analysis of hydrolysates and methanolysates, and by infra-red and mass spectrometry, as an aminolipid identical to serratamolide.