Synthesis of Long-Chain Fats by Bacteria isolated from Human Fæces

Abstract

WE have recently isolated an organism from the stool of an adult human subject that is capable of synthesizing significant quantities of fatty material, which become visible on the surface, from a fat-free medium. The fat is neutral in character, liberating fatty acids on hydrolysis, and can be removed from the surface by dissolving it in ether. It is colourless and melts below body temperature. Some of its properties are shown in Table 1. Relatively little fat is present in the medium and organisms, and has not so far been investigated.