Polar lipids of strains of Prevotella, Bacteroides and Capnocytophaga analysed by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The polar lipid composition of representative strains of Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella intermedia, P. melaninogenica and Capnocytophaga ochracea was determined. Samples were analysed by FAB-MS. Forty major peaks had m/z values expected for known carboxylate anions, ranging from m/z 211 (tridecenoate) to m/z 381 (pentacontanoate). A further fifty-five major peaks were studied between m/z 561 and m/z 722. Forty-five anionic phospholipids of several series were identified. The Pearson coefficient of linear correlation revealed the similarity of the P. intermedia spectra from repeat experiments (r = 0.98), as opposed to inter-species comparisons (0.55, 0.22, 0.20). Thus, FAB-MS rapidly yields data on molecular species within phospholipid families not readily obtained by other means. The data obtained may have chemotaxonomic potential.