LACTOBACILLIC ACID 



lactobacillic acid in view of its first isolation from a lacto- 

 bacillus. Lactobacillic acid from L. arabinosus and L. casei 

 is identical as concerns melting point, infrared absorption 

 spectrum, and x-ray diffraction pattern. Lactobacillic acid 

 is also identical with phytomonic acid (11), a compound 

 previously isolated from A. tumefaciens whose true chemical 

 nature had not been recognized by earlier investigators (13- 

 17). The matching infrared absorption spectra (Fig. 1.2), 

 x-ray diffraction patterns (Table 1.1), and melting points 

 offer unequivocal evidence for identity. Lactobacillic acid 

 appears to be a major constituent of the bacterial phospho- 

 lipids (18). 



