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Appl Environ Microbiol. 1964 July; 12(4): 301-304
Copyright © 1964 American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cellular Lipids of a Nocardia Grown on Propane and n-Butane

Socony Mobil Oil Company, Inc., Field Research Laboratory, Dallas, Texas

ABSTRACT

Lipid fractions of propane- and n-butane-grown nocardial cells each contain a chloroform-soluble, ether-insoluble polymer not observed previously in liquid n-alkane-grown cells. The polymer in propane-grown cells is poly-ß-hydroxybutyrate. The polymer in n-butane-grown cells apparently contains unsaturation in the molecule, and is identified tentatively as a co-polymer of ß-hydroxybutyric and ß-hydroxybutenoic (specifically 3-hydroxy 2-butenoic) acids. The other major component of the lipid fraction consists of triglycerides containing principally palmitic and stearic acids. There seems to be little qualitative distinction in the glycerides of propane- or n-butane-grown cells. Oxidative assimilation of n-butane is described.