title: Carotenoid pigments of Mycobacterium kansasii.
abstract: Partitioned between aqueous methanol and petroleum ether, the unsaponifiable pigments of Mycobacterium kansasii were all epiphasic. Thin-layer chromatography of these carotenoids showed that M. kansasii formed at least nine pigments. These pigments were identified by their chromatographic properties and spectral characteristics as phytoene, zeta-carotene, neurosporene, lycopene, leprotene, gamma-carotene, delta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene. Three additional pigmented spots on thin-layer chromatography found in trace amounts were possibly degradation products of the major carotenoids.
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D000432:Methanol; D009154:Mutation; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D010578:Petroleum; D010641:Phenotype; D012997:Solvents; D013053:Spectrophotometry
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D012997:Solvents; D002338:Carotenoids; D000432:Methanol