ABSTRACT
The cellular and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) fatty acid compositions of the type strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, K. oxytoca, K. terrigena, K. planticola, and "K. trevisanii" were studied. The cellular fatty acids of klebsiellae were presented by straight-chain saturated and monounsaturated, cyclopropane, and hydroxy fatty acids. Hexadecanoic, methylenehexadecanoic, octadecenoic and hexadecenoic acids prevailed. The K. pneumoniae strain mainly differed from the strains of other species by two and more times lower level of dodecanoic acid in cells. Variations of cyclopropane and unsaturated fatty acid contents in cells were observed. LPS fatty acids profiles of klebsiellae mainly consisted of straight-chain saturated and hydroxy fatty acids with predominance of tetradecanoic and 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acids. LPS fatty acids profiles of K. oxytoca, K. terrigena, K. planticola, and "K. trevisanii" strains were very similar and differed from that of the K. pneumoniae strain by higher levels of dodecanoic acid (approximately 5-6 times) and absence of 2-hydroxytetradecanoic acid. The obtained data indicated more close relatedness of K. oxytoca, K. terrigena, and K. planticola and some their remoteness from K. pneumoniae.
