POLAR LIPID AND FATTY-ACID COMPOSITION OF STRAINS OF THE GENUS THERMUS

Eighteen isolates and five reference strains of the genus Thermus were examined for polar lipid patterns and fatty acid composition. All high-temperature yellow or nonpigmented strains had a major glycolipid and a major phospholipid, and minor, slightly variable components. The red-pigmented strains, related to Thermus ruber, had two prominent glycolipids in addition to the major phospholipid. With the exception of Thermus filiformis, all strains had iso-C15 and iso-C17 fatty acids as major components, followed by lower relative proportions of the anteiso-brmched fatty acids. In contrast, anteiso-branched fatty acids were predominant in T. filiformis. Principal component analysis of the fatty acid results did not reflect the classification of the members of the genus Thermus. © 1990, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart · New York. All rights reserved.