STUDIES ON STRUCTURE OF AN ORNITHINE-CONTAINING LIPID FROM NON-SULPHUR PURPLE BACTERIA

A new type of lipid which contains l-ornithine has been found in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides and in other non-sulphur purple bacteria. Its properties, as far as they have been determined, are consistent with the structure: H2N β [CH2]3 β CH(NH β CO β R1) β CO β O β R2, where R1 is either a C16 or C18 fatty acid residue and R2 is a higher alcohol with a C-methyl group or a cyclopropane ring. The compound is likely to have a structural role within the cytoplasmic membrane system of non-sulphur purple bacteria. © 1968.