BACTERIAL HYDROCARBON OXIDATION

Abstract
A gram-negative coccus isolated from hexadecane enrichment cultures grew profusely on n-hexadecane and accumulated a substance identified by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as cetyl palmitate. O2 participated directly in the oxidation process as demonstrated by O218 incorporation into cetyl palmitate to the extent of 75%. The data indicate formation of cetyl palmitate from the esterification of cetyl alcohol and palmitic acid produced from 1-hexadecylhydroperoxide which was suggested as the first intermediate in the bacterial oxidation of n-hexadecane.

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