Extracellular Glycolipids of Rhodotorula Species: The Isolation and Synthesis of 3-D-Hydroxypalmitic and 3-D-Hydroxystearic Acids

Several species of the red yeast Rhodotorula produce extracellular glycolipids which consist of a mixture of mannitol and pentitol esters of 3-D-hydroxypalmitic and 3-D-hydroxystearic acids. One molecule of the long chain acid is attached to each polyol molecule and most of the remaining hydroxyl groups including the one on the fatty acid are acetylated.