Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Isolation of Lipoprotein Particles from Chicken Egg Yolk for the Study of Bacterial Pathogen Fatty Acid Incorporation into Membrane Phospholipids
Published on: May 15, 2019
Variation of branched-chain fatty acids marks the normal physiological range for growth in Listeria monocytogenes
David S Nichols1, Kirsty A Presser, June Olley
1Centre for Food Safety and Quality, School of Agricultural Science, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. D.Nichols@utas.edu.au
Abstract:
The fatty acid composition of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A was determined by close-interval sampling over the entire biokinetic temperature range. There was a high degree of variation in the percentage of branched-chain fatty acids at any given temperature. The percentage of branched C17 components increased with growth temperature in a linear manner. However, the percentages of iso-C15:0 (i15:0) and anteiso-C15:0 (a15:0) were well described by third-order and second-order polynomial curves, respectively. There were specific temperature regions where the proportion of branched-chain fatty acids deviated significantly from the trend established over the entire growth range. In the region from 12 to 13 degrees C there were significant deviations in the percentages of both i15:0 and a15:0 together with a suggested deviation in a17:0, resulting in a significant change in the total branched-chain fatty acids. In the 31 to 33 degrees C region the percentage of total branched-chain components exhibited a significant deviation. The observed perturbations in fatty acid composition occurred near the estimated boundaries of the normal physiological range for growth.
Related Concept Videos
Stringent Response in E. coli
Bacterial Phylum Firmicutes
Determinants of Bacterial Pathogenicity and Virulence
Bacterial Phylum Actinobacteria
Factors Influencing Microbial Growth: Temperature
Formation of Lipopolysaccharides

