title: Fatty acid composition of lipids of Escherichia coli W 1655 F+ and its stable protoplast type L-form.
abstract: The comparative fatty acid analysis of extractable and non-extractable lipids of Escherichia coli W 1655 F+ and its stable protoplast type L-form shows quantitative as well as qualitative differences. From 10 different fatty acids obtained 16:0, 17:0 and 18:0 are present at about the same quantities in the lipid fractions of the bacterial and L-form. The absence of larger amounts of 12:0, 14:0, and 14:beta OH fatty acids in non-extractable L-form lipids reflects the loss of the cell wall in L-form cells. 16:1 fatty acid was found in L-form lipids only. This qualitative difference and the 2-3 times higher content of 18:1 in L-form lipids and the 7 times lower content of cyc 19:0 in extractable lipids of the L-form may be interpreted as alterations characteristic for the changed composition of the cytoplasmic membrane in L-form cells.
mesh_terms: D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000032:analysis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D008055:Lipids / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011523:Protoplasts / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids