An integrated procedure for the extraction of bacterial isoprenoid quinones and polar lipids

Abstract A simple small-scale procedure for the sequential extraction of isoprenoid quinones and polar lipids from bacterial cells was developed. Extraction with a biphasic mixture of petroleum ether (b.p. 60–80°C) and methanolic saline gave an upper phase containing isoprenoid quinones. The lower phase, containing the partially extracted organisms, was processed according to the Bligh and Dyer extraction method to give a polar lipid extract. As examples of the procedure, the isoprenoid quinones and polar lipids of Bacillus subtilis, Mycobacterium avium, Pseudomonas diminuta and Streptomyces griseus were extracted and analyzed.