OCCURRENCE OF DEHYDROSQUALENE (C30 PHYTOENE) IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

1. 1. A mutant of Staphylococcus aureus 209 P, which had lost the ability to synthesize colored carotenoids, accumulated a phytoene-like compound. By ultraviolet, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectra, together with chemical analyses, the structure of this compound was established to be 2,6,10,15,19,23-hexamethyl-2, 6,10,12,14,18,22-tetracosaheptaene which has a 12,13,-cis configuration (dehydrosqualene). 2. 2. This compound was also found in the wild strain when the cells were grown in the presence of diphenylamine. © 1968.