Liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (LC-MS/APCI) with reversed- and chiral phases was used for separation of triacylglycerols (TAG) from protozoan and mold. This study describes the separation and identification of odd numbered chains of regioisomers and enantiomers of triacylglycerols from different natural sources, i.e., the protozoan Khawkinea quartana and the mold Mortierella alpina. Using the above-mentioned separation methods and the synthesis of appropriate standards of TAG, we identified regioisomers and enantiomers of both even and odd numbered TAG. The biosynthesis of odd numbered TAG was found to be strictly stereospecific and to depend on the production microorganism, one enantiomer predominating in the protozoan and the other in the mold. It was proved that even numbered TAG are synthesized in a higher optical purity, which can be explained by a higher affinity of acyltransferases to the respective substrate, i.e., to even chain PUFA.

• MeSH
• Euglena chemistry   MeSH
• Mass Spectrometry methods   MeSH
• Mortierella chemistry   MeSH
• Triglycerides chemistry   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Triglycerides MeSH

We announce the completion of the genome sequence of a phenol derivative-degrading bacterium, Rhodococcus erythropolis strain CCM2595. This bacterium is interesting in the context of bioremediation for its capability to degrade phenol, catechol, resorcinol, hydroxybenzoate, hydroquinone, p-chlorophenol, p-nitrophenol, pyrimidines, and sterols.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Reversed phase liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/MS-APCI) was used to analyze both synthetic triacylglycerols (TAG) having 1-3 branched fatty acids (FA) in the molecule, and natural TAG prepared by precursor directed biosynthesis from valine, leucine and isoleucine and the corresponding branched short-chain acids in cultivations of Rhodococcus erythropolis. The technique made it possible to identify and quantify TAG differing in a single branched-chain FA. Altogether 11 TAG were synthesized, out of which 8 were synthesized stereospecifically. Branched- and straight-chain-TAG were separated and identified while TAG differing only in iso or anteiso FA could not be separated. The APCI mass spectra of iso-, anteiso- and straight-chain TAG were completely identical. The natural material was found to contain 19 TAG having at least one branched FA. Cultivation on six different substrates showed, apart from the presumed and common incorporation of precursors to iso-even, iso-odd and anteiso FA, also some unusual features such as an increase in the content of odd-FA after the addition of Val (attributed to catabolism of Val to propionate) or the appearance of branched monounsaturated FA. The two-sample paired t test, when applied to the TAG, showed that only the pair Val and isobutyrate differ in incorporation into FA--see, e.g. proportions of M/M/O and brM/brM/O (1.2:1.2 and 1.9:1.2, respectively). Also, incorporation of Val (isobutyrate) yielded only TAG having two branched FA in the molecule, whereas Leu and Ile (isovalerate and 2-methyl-butyrate) gave only TAG with a single branched FA in the molecule.

• MeSH
• Mass Spectrometry methods   MeSH
• Rhodococcus metabolism   MeSH
• Triglycerides biosynthesis   chemistry   MeSH
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid methods   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Triglycerides MeSH