title: Phospholipid analysis as a tool to study complex microbial communities in marine sediments.
abstract: To complement information on microbial communities in marine sediments that can be obtained using microbiological methods, we developed an analytical procedure to trace microbial lipids in environmental samples. We focused on analyzing intact phospholipids as these membrane constituents are known to be biomarkers for viable cells. Analysis of intact phospholipids from a fractionated and preconcentrated sediment extract was achieved using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The combined analysis of phospholipid types and their fatty acid substituents allowed a differentiation between various groups of microorganisms living in the sediment. For comparison three strains of marine sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were analysed for their lipid content.
authors.affiliation: Organic Geochemistry Group, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany. heiki.ruetters@icbm.de
authors.forename: Heike
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rütters
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sass
authors.forename: Heribert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cypionka
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rullkötter
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D019015:Geologic Sediments; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis*; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids