Microbial Incorporation of Fatty Acids Derived From n-Alkanes Into Glycerides and Waxes

When n-alkanes with 13 to 20 carbon atoms were fed to a Nocardia closely related to N. salmonicolor, the produced cellular triglycerides and aliphatic waxes invariably contained fatty acids with an even or an odd number of carbon atoms subject to this feature of the n-alkane substrate. Beta-oxidation and C₂ addition are both operative, as evidenced by the spectra of fatty acids incorporated into the cellular lipid components. There is no distinction in the rate of microbial incorporation of the odd-or even-numbered carbon chains. The fatty acids are apparently directly derived from the long chain n-alkanes, rather than synthesized via the classic C₂-condensation route. The alcohol component of waxes produced by the Nocardia is invariably of the same chain length as the n-alkane substrate.