CELLULAR FATTY ACID SPECTRA OF SPOROLACTOBACILLUS AND SOME OTHER BACILLUS-LACTOBACILLUS INTERMEDIATES AS A GUIDE TO THEIR TAXONOMY

Abstract

Cellular fatty acid spectra of Sporolactobacillus species and some other Bacillus-Lactobacillus intermediates were comparatively examined with special reference to their taxonomy. Bacillus coagulans, 4 strains of Sporolactobacillus, and other spore-forming lactic acid bacteria were found to have "iso- anteiso-type" fatty acid spectra similar to those previously reported for most species of Bacillus. Iso- or anteiso- branched odd-numbered carbon acids were predominant in the fatty acids of these organisms. Lactobacillus yamanashiensis, a motile, diaminopimelic acid-containing, but non-spore-forming lactic acid bacterium was found, in contrast, to have "unsaturated-type" fatty acid spectrum biosynthetically different from the fatty acid spectra of the former but similar to those of L. plantarum and other lactobacilli. No transitional fatty acid pattern between the two types could be detected among the tested intermediates. Feasibility of taxonomic discrimination of Bacillus- Lactobacillus intermediates by examination of the cellular fatty acid spectra was discussed.