13C-enriched phosphatidylethanolamines from Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli have been grown using [1-13C]acetate and [2-13C]acetate as the sole carbon source. The 13C NMR spectra of the whole cells and spheroplasts can be readily obtained but give limited information. The 13C NMR spectra of t-e isolated 13C-enriched phosphatidylethanolamines are assigned and analysed to give the biosynthetic pathway for acetate incorporation. This method provides a ready source of 13C-enriched phospholipids.