Acylglucoses of the Corynebacteria and Mycobacteria

Acylglucoses have been identified as major components of the soluble lipids of Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Mycobacterium smegmatis and BCG, grown in the presence of glucose. These have been purified and the structures determined. All contain one fatty acid per mole of glucose. Mass spectrometry of the methylated lipids and other methylation studies and periodate oxidation indicate that the fatty acids are esterified to position 6 of the glucose. The major fatty acid of the acylglucose from C. diphtheriae and M. smegmatis is corynomycolic acid .