[Composition of the complex lipids of Flavobacterium meningosepticum].

The free lipids of Flavobacterium meningosepticum were separated by thin layer chromatography, and the main lipid fractions were analysed by FAB (fast atom bombardment) mass spectrometry. The major products were di-iso-C15- and iso-C15-iso-C17-phosphatidylethanolamine, and two ninhydrin + and phosphorus- fractions. The structures of the latter two fractions were established as ornithine lipids by using MIKE (mass ions kinetic energy) mass spectrometry, GC/MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) and conventional methods. The presence of small amounts of sphingolipids with C17- and C16-sphinganines was demonstrated. F. meningosepticum can be distinguished from F. multivorum and F. spiritivorum by easy characterization of the ornithine lipids by thin layer chromatography.