Abstract

Anisa Elhamili and Fathi Sadek*

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to analyze individual polar lipid analogues, within each lipid family present f fusobacteria using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS). Polar lipid extracts were prepared, washed and dried. Samples, dispersed in a matrix of m-nitrobenzyl alcohol, were analyzed by negative ion FAB- MS using xenon as the reagent gas. Major anion peaks observed in the low mass region of mass/ charge (m/z), 211, 221, 225, 227, 239, 241, 249, 251, 253, 255, 273, 277, 279, 281, 289 and 192 were consistent with the presence of C13:1, C14:3, C14:1, C14:0, C15:1, C15:0, C16:3, C16:2, C16:1, C16:0 CM, unknown, C18:3,C18:2,C18:1, CM, unknown and C19:3 carboxylate anions. In the high mass region, major anion peaks observed with m/z 644, 646, 648, 660, 662, 672, 673, 674, 686, 688, 689, 690, 698, 700, 701, 703, 714, 716, 717 and 719 were consistent with the presence of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) (29:2), PE (29:1). PE (29:0), PE (30:1) PE (30:0), PE (3l:2), first isotope of PE (31:2), PE (31:1), PE (2121) PE (32:1) first isotope peak of PE (32:1), PE (30:0), PE (33:3), PE (33:2) phosphatidylglycerol (PG) (31:3), PG (3l:2), PE (34:2), PE (34:1), PG (32:2) and P. (2122) We conclude that FAB- MS can provide data on individual analogues of PE and PG from Fusobacterium spp. not readily obtained by other means. Furthermore, the phospholipid profile is diagnostic for the genus