Microbial Metabolism of the Isoprenoid Alkane Pristane

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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 alpha-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.