Structural studies of pyoverdins by mass spectrometry

The siderophores produced by the so-called fluorescent members of the bacterial genus Pseudomonas called pyoverdins are chromopeptides with complex structures. Their peptidic part - linear or partially cyclic - comprises unusual and partially modified amino acids. So far about fifty different pyoverdines have been encountered. A fast establishing at least of their gross structure is of importance for the identification of strains in medicine, agriculture and in waste degradation. Mass spectrometric techniques have become a potent tool in this respect. Results which have been obtained by the various techniques will be reviewed.