The positional distribution of fatty acids in the phospholipids and triglycerides of<i>Mycobacterium smegmatis</i> and<i>M. bovis</i> BCG

Abstract

Abstract Position 1 of the phospholipid and triglyceride fractions isolated from Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. bovis BCG was esterified principally with C 18 related fatty acids (18∶0, 18∶1 and 19Br). Position 2 was occupied principally by C 16 fatty acids. The third position of the triglycerides was esterified with a preponderance of C 20 +fatty acids. Seventysix per cent of position 3 fatty acids in BCG and 43% in M. smegmatis triglycerides contained fatty acids of greater than 20 carbon atoms.