Analysis of the Structural Diversity of Mycolic Acids of Rhodococcus and Gordonia Isolates from Activated Sludge Foams by Selective Ion Monitoring

Abstract

A method using Selective Ion Monitoring (SIM) gas chromatography-mass spectrometry is described for analysis of mycolic acids which reveals a hitherto unrecognised chemical structural diversity among these in some members of the Mycolata. The structural interpretation of mass spectral data of mycolic acids from Rhodococcus spp and Gordonla spp using SIM is discussed.