Mycoside G, a Specific Glycolipid in Mycobacterium marinum (Balnei)

Abstract

A new specific glycolipid in extracts prepared from strains designated M. marinum and M. balnei has been demonstrated by use of the techniques of column chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. Since there is now agreement among many workers that M. marinum and M. balnei are identical, the demonstration of the same specific glycolipid in both species is not surprising. This substance, which we have designated mycoside-G, is chemically similar to mycosides-A and-B, and apparently differs only in the sugar moiety. In addition, the lipids extracted from these cultures contain phthiocerol dimyco-cerosate, a wax component found also in M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.