Microbial Metabolism of the Isoprenoid Alkane Pristane

  1. E. J. McKenna* and
  2. R. E. Kallio*
  1. Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa

Abstract

The “inert” hydrocarbon pristane (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane) can be utilized as the sole source of carbon and energy for growth of a coryneform soil isolate. Identification of the metabolites 4,8,12-trimethyltridecanoic acid and α-methylglutaric acid indicates that two pathways of fatty acid metabolism operate in this bacterial strain.

The widespread use of pristane as a biological marker appears to be predicated on its structural similarity to phytol and its apparent stability, which may be only a reflection of the inability of microorganisms to carry out its anaerobic destruction.

Footnotes

  • ↵ * Present address: Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill. 61801.

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  1. PNAS 1971-07 vol. 68 no. 7 1552-1554
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