Plasmenylethanolamine: growth factor for cholesterol-reducing Eubacterium

Abstract

A plasmalogen, plasmenylethanolamine, is required for in vitro growth of strains of Eubacterium which convert cholesterol to coprostanol. Plasmenylethanolamine was isolated from calf brain by selective saponification of lipid fractions separated by column chromatography or TLC. Cholesterol-containing thioglycolate broth plus purified plasmenylethanolamine or its 2-lyso derivative support growth of Eubacterium ATCC 21408 and a cholesterol reducing Eubacterium isolated from baboon feces. Plasmenylethanolamine obtained from commericial sources also supported growth of these organisms, but none of a number of other pure lipids would support growth. Metabolism of the alkenyl ether group of plasmenylethanolamine occurred during growth.