Studies of the cell envelope of Vibrio parahaemolyticus

Abstract

Components of the cell envelope of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were investigated. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is an estuarine microorganism associated with diseases of marine and estuarine animals and seafood-borne enteritis in man. Purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS), isolated using a 45% phenol extraction procedure, was found to contain lipid A fraction to 27% of the LPS by weight. In the lipid A fraction, glucosamine was the only amino sugar to be present and a high molar ratio of phosphate to amino sugar (2.5:1) was noted. Two hydroxy fatty acids, hydroxydodecanoic and hydroxymyristic, were identified among the fatty acids by gas–liquid chromatography. A role of the lipopolysaccharides in the salt requirement of marine bacteria is suggested.