Presence of squalene in gram-positive bacteria

The presence of the isoprenoid squalene, synthesized de novo, was demonstrated in 64 out of 73 strains of gram-positive bacteria by thin-layer chromatography. This observation was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography, chemical reactivity, incorporation of radiolabeled precursor, and by gas chromatography mass spectroscopy of thin-layer chromatography-recovered material.