Monoglucosyloxyoctadecenoic Acid-a Glycolipid from Aspergillus niger

Roger A. Laine, Michigan State University
Patricia F.S. Griffin, Michigan State University
Charles C. Sweeley, Michigan State University
Patrick J. Brennan, Michigan State University

Abstract

Details are given of the purification and structure of an apparently novel type of fungal glycolipid. It was obtained in a relatively pure form by fractionation of the acetone-soluble lipids of Aspergillus niger by Florosil column chromatography and finally purified by preparative thin-layer chromatography. On the basis of the evidence obtained from mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, chromatographic procedures, and the alkaline stability of the glycolipid, we propose that it is a monoglucoside of a trans-2-hydroxy octadecenoic acid. The acidic nature of the glycolipid, combined with its relative prominence (about 6 % of the total lipid), when phospholipid was depleted (less than 2% of the total lipid), indicated that it had an important role in the structure and function of the fungal membranes. © 1972, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.