Composition of the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids of Mycobacterium phlei.

Combined gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to identify unusual fatty acids of Mycobacterium phlei. In addition to many normal saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, series of iso, anteiso, 10-methyl, and (n-8)-methyl substituted fatty acids have been found and identified. These mid-chain branched acids may arise by methylation of monounsaturated acids followed (if necessary) by chain elongation.