Analysis of the structural diversity of mycolic acids of Rhodococcus and Gordonia [correction of Gordonla] isolates from activated sludge foams by selective ion monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (SIM GC-MS)

A method using Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is described for analysis of mycolic acids which reveals a hitherto unrecognised chemical structural diversity among these in some members of the Mycolata. The structural interpretation of mass spectral data of mycolic acids from Rhodococcus spp and Gordonia [corrected] spp using SIM is discussed.